Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Meat industry and trade in South Africa'

The research program addressed in this study was to do an analysis of the potentials of the marketing of ostrich meat in the South African market. Being the world leader in the ostrich industry, the research’s emphasis was to establish reasons why the meat industry does not explore the South African meat market. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of the current situation was undertaken and used as a theoretical model to analyse the current situation in the market as well as in the ostrich industry. In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify some critical issues that have an influence on the potential of the domestic market. The survey method used, based on the key components gained from the literature study, consisted of an in-depth scan of the macro-environment and thorough investigation of the target industry. The investigation involved using the Internet and World Wide Web, print media, personal interviews and telephonic interviews. The result of the literature study was finally combined with the results of the empirical study and some recommendations were made. The recommendations were applicable to the ostrich industry in so far that implementing some plans for the meat industry can have serious consequences for the other products of the ostrich industry

Owing to the increase in urbanisation and disposable income, South Africa offers the food industry enormous growth opportunities. According to Louw, Jordaan, Ndanga and Kirsten (2008: 287), supermarkets have become vital role players in South African food consumption. Within this market, it is especially important to note that “preferences for high quality… foods are emerging” (Louw et al, 2008:288). This highlights the need to introduce superior quality foods to the South African food market. This study took this need one step further by asking the question, “is there a need for a high-quality foreign product in the South African market?” The primary objective of this study was to conduct a needs analysis to determine whether there is a need to introduce a selected foreign product into the South African market. The high-quality product chosen for this research is a meat product called PICK salami. In addition, the distribution channel that would be the most appropriate for the possible introduction of the product to the market was also identified in the study. To accomplish this, a relevant literature study was performed. To realise the research objective, a triangulated research approach was selected and a multiple-case study conducted. The units of analysis chosen for this study were the four major South African supermarket chains: SPAR Group Limited, Shoprite Checkers, Woolworths (Pty) limited and Pick ’n Pay Retailers (Pty) Limited. The data from this study was then analysed to determine meaningful results. From the research, it was concluded that there is a need for a high-quality meat product such as PICK Salami in South Africa and that SPAR Group Limited is the most viable distribution channel to use. Both South Africa and Hungary can benefit from such a business venture as gaps in the market can be filled and both countries can profit, despite the current global economic downturn.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this research was to study the current purchasing and marketing behaviour of game meat by supermarkets, butcheries and restaurants in the Western Cape Province, and to investigate perceptions on, purchasing and consumption of game meat by South African consumers and overseas tourists visiting South Africa. Research was done by the survey method with the aid of structured, self-administered questionnaires. Chi-squared frequencies were used to test for significant influences of data. The research showed that South African consumers are poorly educated regarding the nutritional benefits and cooking methods of game meat. Consumers indicated that they would buy game meat if they were better informed on its qualities. Just over 73% of the respondents indicated that they have eaten game meat, whilst 66% of the respondents indicated that they would eat game meat again. South African consumers, however, indicated that they are not willing to pay more for game meat than other meat types. Race and educational level were the only two socio-demographical variables that showed significant differences. White respondents and respondents that were in the "post-High school diploma/degree" educational group, were better informed on game meat and were also more likely to buy game meat than either the black or coloured racial groups. The respondents indicated the leanness of meat as one of the most important quality considerations when they buy meat. This provides an opportunity for game meat marketers to market game meat as a low-fat meat product. This research succeeded in identifying target markets for game meat. Restaurants should market game meat for European tourists, whilst supermarkets and butcheries should focus on marketing game meat to white consumers and consumers with higher educational qualifications, but also target coloured and black consumers. This research confirmed that the South African game meat industry is plagued by numerous misconceptions and contradictions. It is evident that both consumers and marketers of game meat have contradictory beliefs regarding the seasonal availability of game meat. Consumers as well as some of the supermarket, butchery and restaurant meat buyers, are ill-informed regarding the sensory qualities, health benefits and preparation and cooking methods of game meat. Ironically, the research showed that tourists visiting South Africa were the respondent group that were the most knowledgeable regarding the sensory qualities and health benefits of game meat. This research provides a valuable pilot-study into the marketing possibilities of game meat.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing was om die huidige aankoop en bemarkingsgedrag vir wildsvleis deur supermarkte, slaghuise en restaurante in die Wes-Kaap gebied, en persepsies oor en aankoop van wild deur Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers en oorsese toeriste wat Suid-Afrika besoek, te ondersoek. Gestruktureerde vraelyste is ontwerp om die navorsing volgens die opname metode uit te voer. Chi-kwadraat frekwensies is gebruik om beduidende invloede te meet. Die navorsing het gewys dat Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers oningelig is aangaande die gesondheidsvoordele en gaarmaakmetodes van wildsvleis. Verbruikers het aangedui dat hulle wildsvleis meer gereeld sou koop indien hulle beter ingelig word oor wildsvleis se kwaliteite. Die navorsing het bewys dat toeriste wat Suid-Afrika besoek, beter ingelig is oor die sensoriese kwaliteite en gesondheidsvoordele van wildsvleis as Suid-Afrikaners. Net meer as 73% van die Suid-Afrikaanse respondente het aangedui dat hulle al voorheen wildsvleis geëet het, terwyl 66% aangedui het dat hulle weer wildsvleis sal eet. Suid-Afrikaanse verbruikers het egter genoem dat hulle nie bereid is om meer vir wildsvleis te betaal as vir ander vleis nie. Ras en opvoedkundige vlak is die enigste sosio-demografiese veranderlikes wat 'n beduidende invloed gehad het. Blanke respondente en respondente in die "post-hoërskool diploma/graad" opvoedkundige vlak, was beter ingelig oor wildsvleis en ook meer geneig om wildsvleis te koop. Die vetinhoud van vleis was vir meeste respondente 'n belangrike maatstaf by die keuse en aankoop van vleis. Aangesien wildsvleis 'n lae-vet produk is, is daar dus geleentheid vir vleisbemarkers om wildsvleis as 'n lae-vet produk te bemark. Hierdie navorsing het daarin geslaag om teikenmarkte vir wildsvleis te identifiseer. Restaurante moet fokus op oorsese toeriste wat Suid-Afrika besoek, terwyl supermarkte en slaghuise bemarking moet rig op verbruikers met 'n hoër opvoedkundige vlak en blanke verbruikers. Hierdie navorsing het bevestig dat die Suid-Afrikaanse wildbedryf geknel word deur verskeie wanpersepsies en teenstellings. Dit is duidelik dat sowel verbruikers as bemarkers van wildsvleis, teenstellende persepsies het aangaande seisoenale beskikbaarheid van wildsvleis. Hierdie navorsing verskaf 'n waardevolle voorloperstudie vir verdere navorsing oor die bemarkingsmoontlikhede van wildsvleis.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 1993.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Informal red meat trade was investigated as it occurs in the townships of the Cape Town metropole. To achieve this, an interactive research approach was followed, initially involving months of observation before scientific and empirical analysis was conducted. The informal marketing activities were described and analysed with the purpose of establishing its strengths; weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Criteria of efficiency and effectiveness were constantly employed. ln this regard, the prevailing system was tested against consumer needs and preferences. A large degree of consistency was found between the nature of supply by the informal sector and the nature of demand from its target consumer base. On this basis, it was deduced that the informal red meat marketing system has the potential to further contribute to development and township food security. The informal marketing system, how~ver, operates under specific constraints. These were identified and subsequently recommendations were made to alleviate these constraints, in order to maximise the contribution of informal red meat trade to local development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die informele bemarking van rooivleis, soos dit in die stadswyke (townships) van die Kaapstadse metropolis voorkom, is ondersoek. Deur middel van 'n interaktiewe navorsingsbenadering is daar aanvanklik maande lank net waargeneem voordat 'n wetenskaplike en empiriese analise gedoen kon word. Die werksaamhede van die informele rooivleismark is omskryf en ontleed met die oog op vasstelling van die sterk punte en swakhede, geleenthede en bedreigings van die bedryf. Kriteria van doeltreffendheid en effektiwiteit is deurgaans aangewend. In hierdie opsig is die huidige stelsel getoets aan verbruikersbehoeftes en voorkeure. Die wyse van aanbieding van die informele sektor het in 'n ruim mate ooreengestem met die aanvraag van die teikenverbruiker. Op grond hiervan word afgelei dat die stelsel van informele bemarking van rooivleis die potensiaal het om nog 'n groter bydrae te lewer tot die ontwikkeling van voedselsekuriteit in die 'townships'. Sekere faktore werk egter beperkend m op die informele bemarkingstelsel. Hierdie faktore is gei'dentifiseer en aanbevelings is gemaak ter opheffing van die beperkinge om sodoende die stelsel se bydrae tot plaaslike ontwikkeling·te maksimeer.

There is a need in the Eastern Cape Province to expand the market for fresh venison. This need is due in part to fluctuations in the export market and fragmentation of consumption in the food industry, which has led to an increased demand for specialised and customised products. A suitable method for addressing these issues and successfully marketing fresh venison in the Eastern Cape Province was required, and based on the findings of this study, niche marketing was found to be a possible marketing method to explore. This study evaluated how a strategy of niche marketing could be used to market fresh venison within the Eastern Cape Province. By analysing this main problem the research attempted to identify and understand the challenges of marketing fresh venison to the final consumer in the Eastern Cape Province and to determine whether niche marketing would be a viable option when taking into account venison’s unique characteristics. Niche marketing was characterised and discussed in the light of other marketing approaches and the most important elements of a successful niche marketing strategy were highlighted. The information resulting from scrutiny of all of these sub-problems was then used to address the challenge of marketing fresh venison to the final consumer. In-depth interviews were deemed most suitable for this study based on the nature of the topic and the depth of expertise of qualified personnel in the Eastern Cape Province fresh venison industry. Consequently, four interviews were conducted with experts in the field. Using the niche marketing concept and the strategy that drives it, namely differentiation, possible niche markets were identified. A strategy of multiple niching was adopted to address the differentiation opportunities available, based on the relevant specialist roles of fresh venison. These differentiation opportunities in turn lead to competitive advantage. Possible niche target markets identified and analysed included the tourist market, travellers (foreign and local) by air and sea, the organic aware market and the pet food market. Branding was found to be an integral element for the niche marketing of venison and is also discussed. The main problems hindering fresh venison marketing in the Eastern Cape Province were found to be consumers’ lack of knowledge of venison, cultural differences and consumer preferences, lack of a formal infrastructure and control, and a lack of accurate data. These challenges need to be addressed before fresh venison can be successfully marketed in the Eastern Cape Province. Research needs to be conducted on the venison industry and formal supply chains and control channels need to be implemented before a quality product in substantial and consistent quantities can be successfully marketed to the final consumer. Consumers and industry personnel must be educated about venison and its merits, and fresh venison must initially target white tablecloth restaurants and specialised delicatessens, where service is as important as the product itself.

The objective of the study was to evaluate meat hygiene practices among meat handlers and microbiological analysis of beef carcasses, slaughtermen hands, equipment and water from low throughput (LTA) and high throughput (HTA) abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In stage one of the study, the level of knowledge, practices and attitudes towards meat safety and personal hygiene of slaughtermen were assessed. Forty workers directly involve in beef cattle slaughtering process were surveyed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, it contained questions on some of the most important meat safety cues such as knowledge, attitudes, personal hygiene and handling practices. Cross tabulation and Chi-square Test of Association were performed to examine the relationships between the demographic information and the knowledge regarding meat safety using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Overall, a significant adherence to basic hygiene practices and a satisfactory level of knowledge were observed. Workers from a HTA yielded comparatively better statistically significant scores. Moreover, knowledge and practices of respondents were significantly associated (P<0.05) due to educational level and professional training. The second stage of the study involved evaluating the level to which cattle carcass, equipment, slaughtermen hands and water were contaminated with Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, Escherichia coli and aerobic colony counts (ACC) at different stages during the slaughter process (skinning, evisceration, carcass slitting, inspection, washing and packing). Cattle carcasses were sampled at four sites (rump, neck, flank and brisket) from a LTA (n= 240) and HTA (n= 384) abattoirs. Using conventional biochemical tests, HTA yielded significantly (P<0.05) higher ACC (5.2 log CFU/cm2), E. coli (2.6 log CFU/cm2) and Enterobacteriaceae (2.9 log CFU/cm2) carcass mean scores than LTA after skinning and evisceration. Specific abattoir hygiene differences were noted from washed and chilled carcasses. Salmonella was not detected across all sampled slaughter process stages. In addition, the equipment had bacterial load ranging from 10 to 4 CFU/cm2 for LTA, whereas in HTA this was found to be 7 to 3 CFU/cm2. The bacterial counts for slaughtermen hands were estimated to be 15 to 8 CFU/cm2 in HTA and 10 to 5 CFU/cm2 in LTA. Overall, slaughtermen hands and equipment in the dirty area (skinning and evisceration) yielded more bacterial counts compared to those in the clean area (slitting, inspection, washing and packing) from both abattoirs. For all the sampled carcasses, equipment and slaughtermen hands, HTA yielded comparatively higher (P<0.05) bacterial counts than the LTA. Although the results showed a significant adherence to basic hygiene practices, some aspects such as routine medical examination, health certificates and professional training of slaughtermen still need to be improved. Therefore, these findings show that slaughtermen, equipment and water can be sources of contamination during the slaughter process.

In this study on product development and positioning in the hunting industry in the Eastern Cape, two conceptual frameworks were developed, based on a literature study. These positioning and product development concepts were tested against primary and secondary information gathered about the hunting industry. The game and hunting industries were in a strong growth phase at the time of this study. These industries are playing an increasingly important role in the economy of the Eastern Cape, and more and more agricultural land is utilised for game ranching. From the perspective of obtaining a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive environment, it is therefore important for hunting providers to develop suitable products, and to position these products correctly. It is also important to investigate the characteristics of the game and hunting industries in the Eastern Cape and to get information about the characteristics of the market in which product development and positioning take place. Hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in the Eastern Cape, followed by cropping of game and live game sales. At the time of this study, the total value of the game utilised annually in the Eastern Cape was in excess of R168 million. Game utilisation seemed to be taking place on a sustainable basis, as the number of animals utilised annually was less than the annual production. Kudu and springbok provide the biggest total income, and, together with mountain reedbuck, are the most abundant species in the Eastern Cape. The main game-producing areas in the Eastern Cape coincide with the areas where extensive beef, sheep and goat farming are practised. The hunting products on offer from hunting providers, differ in certain ways. Aspects like price, type of hunting provided, game species available for hunting, terrain where hunting takes place, and various other aspects in connection with the hunt, differ from hunting provider to hunting provider. Characteristics of the hunting experience that hunters desire may be divided into core and variable elements. The core elements include: · the conditions pertaining to the hunt being spelt out clearly; · the maintenance of safety standards; · reasonable day fees; · the presence of game in sufficient numbers; and · other aspects generally desired by hunters. In the study it was found that the needs of hunters also differ regarding certain aspects of the hunting experience. These variable elements include price levels, type and availability of accommodation, and the role of the hunting provider. The core aspects that hunters desire are as a rule part of the product offering. From a product development perspective, the variable elements provide an opportunity to customise products to hunter needs. The inclusion or exclusion of variable elements from the product offering give rise to certain unique product features, and therefore provide the opportunity for product differentiation. After development, products are positioned firstly by selecting a market segment to focus on. Secondly, the needs of hunters in the target segment should be clearly identified, followed by the development of suitable products based on hunter needs, and taking into account the features of competitive offerings. Decisions should also be taken about the features to be included in the product offering to achieve product differentiation. After development of a suitable product, an image or brand should be chosen for the product, and this image should be effectively communicated to the market. A number of possible positioning options were identified for hunting providers. It was found that factors like the physical features of the ranch, available infrastructure, the market segment chosen, desires of the hunting providers, and the perception of the needs of hunters, eventually influence decisions about product development and positioning. The final decisions on positioning should take the core competencies of the hunting provider into account and should ensure that the hunting provider has the ability to fill the chosen position in the market.

Thesis (D. Tech. Environmental health) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2011
In addition to one national park and six nature reserves, the Free State Province boasts several privately owned game reserves, as well as game farmers and commercial stock farmers who keep game. A survey conducted in 1985 showed that the majority of game could be found in the Xhariep District situated in the southern and south-western parts of the province. Game export abattoirs and processing facilities are situated in provinces other than the Free State, which results not only in an outflow of game carcasses for export purposes, but also a loss of employment opportunities and opportunities for the generation of foreign currency from a district (Xhariep) which, from a socio-economic perspective, is seen as deprived. There are 21 non-export highthroughput red meat abattoirs in the province, posing the question as to whether these could be used for the slaughtering of game. This study aimed firstly to compile guidelines for the wild game meat industry regarding the production of wild game meat for the international market and to assess wild game production and utilisation in the Xhariep District through a comprehensive survey of game farming practices, game numbers and species, as well as the utilisation of game through various consumptive and non-consumptive methods. A further aim was to investigate practices at existing slaughter facilities in order to determine their potential to be adapted into wild game meat export facilities and assess such potential via a standardised protocol. The research commenced with an investigation into processing and export requirements for wild game meat in South Africa through a literature study of all EU legislation, directives and other relevant literature on the subject, and provides comprehensive reference material for entrepreneurs and developers in the wild game meat industry. Methodologies utilised included audits to determine the extent to which abattoirs conform to the structural, operational and documentation meat hygiene requirements followed by the development of a novel assessment matrix for measuring the level of compliance of existing abattoirs and their potential to be developed into European Union (EU) export facilities. The survey of the Xhariep area concluded that a significant potential exists for the expansion of the game industry, as several respondents indicated that they were interested in expanding their game production and that they had land available for this purpose. A further indication was that the game would be highly marketable because it was free ranging and could be regarded as organic due to the absence or controlled use of additives and pesticides that could result in chemical residues in the meat. The establishment of a wild game export facility was favoured by nearly 70% of the respondents. The hygiene evaluation of existing slaughter facilities in the Free State Province resulted in six slaughtering facilities being rated as good or excellent, demonstrating the potential to successfully process game meat for the export market. This was tested by utilising the proposed evaluation matrix, which rated the abattoirs most suited to be adapted into game meat processing facilities for export purposes. The value of this approach lies in the fact that it is not only restricted to local markets, but can be utilised internationally by the abattoir industry, as well as the fact that it is not species specific. It should, however, be applied objectively by knowledgeable operators in the industry. It is concluded that institutions in the Free State Province possess the knowledge and ability to not only produce wild game meat, but also to successfully process this commodity through the optimal utilisation of existing high-throughput red meat abattoirs. By utilising existing management skills and affecting relatively minimal adjustments to existing structures, these resources should be utilised to successfully enter the wild game meat export market which should, in turn contribute towards the prosperity of the Xhariep District.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ostrich industry is a predominantly quantitative industry; focused mainly on the production of large numbers of slaughter birds for maximum meat and leather yield. Competing in the international market in the current economic environment necessitates a more qualitative approach. Productivity and product quality are aspects that need to be improved in order to stay competitive and economically viable. Genetic parameters for ostrich slaughter traits are lacking, however, and breeding programs are yet to be developed. Data on quantitative and qualitative production and slaughter traits from a commercial ostrich breeding flock was consequently analysed to establish the relative importance of genetic and non-genetic influences on these traits. Genetic and environmental (co)variances as well as estimates of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for and among the various traits using standard software for multi-trait genetic analyses. Substantial variation, high and favourable genetic correlations as well as moderate to high heritability estimates were found among, and for distinguished body weight traits of growing ostriches. Heritability estimates of 0.14, 0.22, 0.33, 0.43 and 0.43 for 1-month, 4-month, 7-month, 10-month and 13-month-old ostrich weights were estimated in a five-trait animal model analysis. All carcass component weight traits, with the exception of the weight of the liver, showed significant genetic variation. No significant maternal permanent environmental variance was evident for these traits. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.21 (for subcutaneous fat weight) to 0.45 (for neck weight) in multi-trait analyses. The only potentially unfavourable correlation was a high genetic correlation between live weight and subcutaneous fat weight, as fat is considered as a waste product in the present system. The heritability estimates for individual muscle weights ranged from 0.14 to 0.43, while the genetic correlation between these weights and pre-slaughter live weight were all positive, ranging from 0.59 to 0.82. When meat quality traits were analysed it was evident that lightness (L*) and ultimate pH (pHu) showed significant genetic variation, with heritability estimates of 0.37 and 0.42, respectively. L* and pHu were negatively correlated (-0.65 ± 0.19). Since pH is an indicator of various meat quality parameters, it could be considered as an appropriate selection criterion for enhanced meat quality. With the exception of skin grading and crown length, all quantitative and qualitative skin traits showed significant genetic variation. Nodule traits were accordingly moderate to highly heritable. A negative, but favourable, correlation between weight and hair follicle score was ascertained, as hair follicles is a defect that should be selected against. This study demonstrated that sufficient genetic variation exists for most slaughter traits to allow sustained genetic progress for these traits, should it be desired as part of the overall selection objective. Combining some of the current economically important slaughter traits in a provisional selection index, it was clear that weight and crust skin size contributed most to monetary gain (approximately 54 and 38%, respectively). It was also demonstrated with this simple index that monetary gains in slaughter bird production should be easy to achieve at all levels of production performance and data recording.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die volstruisbedryf is hoofsaaklik ‘n kwantitatiewe bedryf wat meerendeels fokus op die produksie van groot getalle slagvolstruise vir die produksie van vleis en leer. Siende dat die bedryf hoofsaaklik op uitvoere fokus, word aanvaar dat ‘n verandering in strategie na ‘n meer kwalitatiewe benadering nodig is, in ag geneem die huidige ekonomiese situasie en marktoestande. Produktiwiteit sowel as produkgehalte moet in ag geneem word vir die bedryf om lewensvatbaar te bly. Daar is egter ‘n gebrek aan genetiese parameters vir volstruisslageienskappe, terwyl doeltreffende teeltstelsels nog ontwikkel moet word. Data van kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe produksie- en slageienskappe is gevolglik van ‘n kommersiële volstruis teeltkudde verkry en ontleed om die relatiewe belang van genetiese en nie-genetiese effekte op die eienskappe te kwantifiseer. Genetiese- en omgewings (ko)variansies, asook beramings van oorerflikheid sowel as genetiese en fenotipiese korrelasies, is vervolgens vir en tussen die onderskeie eienskappe beraam deur van standaard sagteware vir veelvuldige-eienskap genetiese ontledings gebruik te maak. Aansienlike variasie, hoë en meestal gunstige korrelasies, sowel as matige tot hoë oorerflikhede, is tussen en vir die onderskeie ligaamsgewigte van groeiende volstruise gevind. Oorerflikheidsberamings van 0.14, 0.22, 0.33, 0.43 en 0.43 is vir 1-maand, 4-maande, 7-maande, 10-maande en 13-maande-oue volstruise in ‘n vyf-eienskap dieremodel ontleding gekry. Alle karkaskomponentgewigte, met die uitsondering van die gewig van die lewer, het betekenisvolle genetiese variasie getoon. Oorerflikheidsberamings het tussen 0.21 (vir onderhuidse vetgewig) en 0.45 (vir nekgewig) gevarieer in veelvuldige-eienskapontledings. Die enigste moontlike ongunstige korrelasie was tussen liggaamsgewig en onderhuidse vetgewig, siende dat vet as ‘n afvalproduk gereken word in die huidige stelsel. Die oorerflikhede van die gewigte van indiwiduele spiere het van 0.14 tot 0.43 gevarieer, terwyl die genetiese korrelsies tussen hierdie gewigte en voorslaggewig deurgaans positief was, met waardes wat van 0.59 tot 0.82 gewissel het. Tydens die ontleding van vleisgehalte eienskappe was dit duidelik dat ligtheid (L*) en uiteindelike pH (pHu) genetiese variasie getoon het, met oorerflikheidsberamings van onderskeidelik 0.37 en 0.42. L* en pHu was negatief gekorreleerd op die genetiese vlak (-0.65 ± 0.19). Aangesien pH ‘n aanduiding is van verskeie vleisgehalteparameters, kan dit moontlik as ‘n indirekte seleksie-kriterium vir verbeterde vleisgehalte gesien word. Alle kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe veleienskappe het genetiese variasie getoon, met die uitsondering van velgradering en kroonlengte. Knoppie-eienskappe van die veerfollikels op die vel was ooreenstemmend matig tot hoog oorerflik. ‘n Negatiewe, maar gunstige, genetiese korrelasie is tussen liggaamsgewig en haarfollikelpunt beraam, siende dat haarfollikels ‘n defek is waarteen daar geselekteer moet word. Hierdie studie dui op voldoende genetiese variasie vir die meeste slageienskappe om voldoende genetiese vordering te verseker indien dit verlang sou word. Somminge van hierdie eienskappe wat tans van ekonomiese belang is, is vervolgens in ‘n voorlopige seleksie-indeks gekombineer. Dit was duidelik dat liggaamsgewig en velgrootte die meeste tot monetêre vordering bygedra het (onderskeidelik ongeveer 54 en 38%). Dit is vervolgens aangetoon dat monetêre vordering maklik haalbaar behoort te wees op alle vlakke van produksieprestasie en data-aantekening.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.
On October 1999 South Africa signed a historic TDCA with the European Union. The main objective of this agreement is to liberalise most trade between the two parties over time through a free trade agreement. Namibia as a member of SACU became automatically a de facto member of the SA-EU FTA. At the same time the EU concluded another 20-year agreement with the ACP countries effectively changing its traditional trade relationship with these countries. Namibia also being a member of the ACP group of countries finds itself in the middle of these two agreements. South Africa and the EU however opted to leave some of the sectors that are considered sensitive out of the free trade agreement in order to mitigate some of the adjustment costs likely to be faced by lesser-developed partners in SACU such as Namibia. Beef is one of those sensitive sectors as it is the main Namibian agricultural export to both the EU and South Africa. The fisheries sector likewise contributes a lot to Namibia's export earnings and the fact South Africa and the EU are negotiating for a fisheries agreement could mean a change in Namibia's competitive position in this sector. The impact that these two agreements will have on the beef sector is not very significant or at least manageable at this stage. The impact on the fisheries sector is mainly uncertain at this stage in the absence of an EU-SA fisheries agreement. The major impact of the SA-EU FTA will be on government revenues, which rely heavily on receipts from the SACU common revenue pool. The SADC has also started its regional economic integration process, which the EU hopes to be a move towards a REPA with which it hopes to do business as part of the new Cotonou Agreement. However the vast disparities in economic development between the EU and SADC does not favour such a move. The benefits will most probably accrue to the EU and the costs to SADC countries, especially those countries that are not part of SACU. It is important that if the new Cotonou Agreement is to be mutually beneficial steps need to be taken to strengthen the industrial and export capacities of the ACP countries. Otherwise this wave of globalisation will be nothing but a zero sum game.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates, primarily, value adding in the red meat value chain, and secondary, the scope of red meat consumption in the Langeberg on a formal level. The value chain is proposed as a value system, since the latter dispose of feedback capacity. This ability of a system means that the elements identified can change and influence each other, unlike a value chain, where information is traditionally sent linearly. Vanaf a systems approach, the production, processing and distribution of red meat are investigated by means of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of data. Critical points of change are identified to improve resource use within the value chain in order to decrease the price of meat. Changes in the red meat industry over the past 80 years had a distinct influence on the current structure of the red meat value chain. It is therefore necessary to understand the history in order to predict the future. Vanaf this viewpoint the Red Meat Scheme is discussed, as well as the typical structure of the value chain, which serves as a benchmark for the analysis to follow. Red meat refers to beef, sheep/lamb and pork. The analysis of data is done using Interactive Qualitative Analysis© and descriptive statistics. Open and close ended questions are included in questionnaires for the interviews. Respondents included are role players in the Langeberg red meat industry which are situated in the area as well as those who are directly involved, but not situated in the area. Role players in the Langeberg include producers, feedlots, agents, abattoirs, supermarkets and butcheries, while wholesalers vanaf outside who are involved in the area, are also contacted. Some interesting finding vanaf the quantitative analysis include 1) supermarkets and butcheries in the Langeberg differ, on average, only 29c/kg on a selection of meat cuts, 2) labour is the single largest expense for the majority of respondents, and 3) the per capita consumption of red meat in the area is considerably lower that the national norm: 15.78kg versus 25.39kg. If is apparent that the role of the informal market cannot be ignored and questions arise about the validity of the national norm. After analysing around 700 data cards the Red Meat Value System of the Langeberg were constructed. The most important characteristics of the system are that government regulations and supermarket standards seems to be the largest driver of change within the system, while price is the biggest receiver of influence (and therefore the largest “variable”). Recommendation that are supported by the analysis: Increase in genetic material of weaned animals leads to better quality meat; Direct supply by abattoirs to retailers increase both parties‟ ability to add value; Vertical integration in the value chain can increase the viability of enterprises; Availability of meat of different grading on retail level can increase the quality of carcasses within a given grading level; The regressive nature of VAT can decrease with the abolition of VAT on lower graded carcasses, while total abolition will benefit both the industry and consumers.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie ondersoek primêr die waardetoevoeging in die rooivleis waardeketting en sekondêr die omvang van verbruik in die Langeberg op 'n formele vlak. Die waardeketting word voorgestel as 'n waardestelsel, aangesien laasgenoemde oor wederkerende/terugvoer kapasiteit beskik. Hierdie vermoë van 'n stelsel beteken dat die elemente wat geïdentifiseer word mekaar kan verander en beïnvloed, terwyl 'n waardeketting, tradisioneel, inligting slegs lineêre aanstuur. Vanuit 'n stelselsbenadering word die produksie, verwerking en verspreiding van rooivleis ondersoek, deur gebruik te maak van beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe ontledings van data. Kritiese punte van verandering word geïdentifiseer om hulpbronne in die waardeketting beter te benut en sodoende vleis goedkoper aan die verbruiker beskikbaar te stel. Oor die afgelope 80 jaar het veranderinge in die rooivleisbedryf bepaald 'n invloed gehad op die huidige struktuur van die rooivleis waardeketting. Dit is dus nodig om die geskiedenis te verstaan om die toekoms te voorspel. Met hierdie uitgangspunt is die Rooivleisskema bespreek asook die tipiese struktuur van die waardeketting, as maatstaf vir die ontleding van data wat volg. Rooivleis verwys na bees-, skaap- en varkvleis. Die ontleding van data is gedoen m.b.v. Interactive Qualitative Analysis© en beskrywende statistiek. Vraelyste met ope en geslote vrae is gebruik tydens onderhoude. Respondente wat ingesluit is, is rolspelers in die bedryf in die Langeberg wat binne die area gesetel is, sowel as diegene wat direk betrokke is, maar nie in die area gesetel is nie. Rolspelers in die Langeberg sluit in produsente, voerkrale, agente, abattoirs, supermarkte en slaghuise, terwyl groothandelaars van buite die area wat in die area betrokke is, ook genader is. Verskeie interessanthede is gevind met die kwantitatiewe data ontleding; onder andere dat 1) supermarkte en slaghuise in die Langeberg, vir 'n mandjie van vleissnitte, met gemiddeld slegs 29c/kg verskil, 2) arbeid die grootste enkele uitgawe is vir die meerderheid van respondente en 3) die per kapita verbruik van rooivleis in die area heelwat laer is as wat die nasionale norm is, naamlik 15.78kg teenoor 25.39kg. Dit is dus duidelik dat die rol van die informele mark nie geïgnoreer kan word nie en vrae ontstaan oor die geldigheid van die nasionale norm. Na 'n ontleding van ongeveer 700 data kaarte is die Rooivleis-waardestelsel vir die Langeberg gekonstrueer. Die belangrikste kenmerke van die stelsel is dat dit wil voorkom asof regering regulasies en kettingwinkel standaarde die grootste drywer van verandering in die stelsel is, terwyl prys die grootste ontvanger van invloed (en dus die grootste “veranderlike”) is. Aanbevelings wat deur die ontleding ondersteun word: Verbetering in die genetiese materiaal van gespeende diere lei tot beter kwaliteit vleis; Direkte verskaffing deur abattoirs aan kleinhandelaars verbeter beide partye se vermoë om waarde toe te voeg; Vertikale integrasie in die waardeketting die lewensvatbaarheid van ondernemings kan verhoog; Beskikbaarstelling van verskillende graderings vleis op kleinhandelvlak die kwaliteit van die karkasse binne 'n gegewe graderingsvlak kan verbeter; Die regressiewe aard van BTW kan verminder word deur die afskaffing van BTW op laer gradering karkasse, alhoewel totale afskaffing tot groter voordeel van die bedryf en verbruikers sal wees.

Thesis (MAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Transaction cost economics has travelled a difficult and long path to general acceptance in current economic opinion. The general theory of transaction cost has however developed in various paradigms with little or no empirical backing. It is mostly the difficulty of measurement that caused economists to shy away from empirical testing and rather, to quote Coase (1992), "to write in prose". The last 10 years there has been a renewed thrust for the empirical measurement of transaction cost. This study is an attempt to measure transaction cost by using case study data gathered in the run of the NOLIDEP study in the meat markets of the Northern Communal areas of Namibia. Until recently the method of data analysis that has been used in most empirical studies was variations of the regression technique. Regression as a tool is most useful in economics, giving quick answers and general trends to the researcher. It is however a technique that is linear in nature and therefore some information in the data will always be sacrificed. In general- and multi industry surveys this do not pose a great problem as general trends can usefully be applied in making policy recommendations. In smaller and especially rural industries this is not the case. The dynamic interactions within the industry and its dynamic linkages with the rest of the economy will surely be underrated when using a linear method. Consequently, a non-linear technique was applied in this study - the Non-linear Dynamic Model. This model gave the interactions between all variables enabling one to describe the dynamics of the market. As mentioned elsewhere the first aim of this study was to measure transaction cost so that the second aim could be fulfilled. The second aim of this study was to prove that transaction cost has an important influence on marketing channel decision. The analysis of the data satisfied the above two aims: Firstly it showed that it was possible to measure transaction cost. Secondly that transaction cost has a large and sometimes overriding influence on marketing channel decisions. A third and last point that became apparent was that a non-linear method of data analysis allows for better description of a dynamic market.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dit het 'n lang tyd gevat vir transaksie koste om as konsep in ekonomie aanvaar te word. Die algemene teorie van transaksie koste het egter ontwikkel binne verskeie paradigmas sonder werklike empiriese ondersteuning. Dit is meestal die meting van transaksie koste wat empiriese werk in die rigting belemmer het. Daar is egter in die laaste 10 jaar hernude pogings gewees om transaksie koste empiries te meet. Hierdie studie is 'n poging om transaksie koste te meet deur gebruik te maak van data wat verkry is gedurende die NOLIDEP studie in die noordelike kommunale gebiede van Namibia. Tot onlangs was die metode van data analise vir empiriese studies variasies op die regressie tegniek. As 'n hulpmiddel is regressie baie bruikbaar in ekonomie waar vinnige antwoorde en algemene tendense verwag word. Die tegniek is egter inhirent liniêr en daarom sal daar altyd interpretasies rondom data opgeoffer word. In algemene studies is dit egter nie 'n probleem nie en kan voldoende beleids aanbevelings gedoen word. Dit is egter nie die geval in kleiner en plantelandse industriëe nie. Die dinamiese interaksies binne die industrie en die dinamiese skakels met die res van die ekonomie word dan onderskat met die gebruik van 'n liniêre metode. Daarom is 'n nie-liniêre metode gebruik, die Non-linear Dynamic Model. Die model neem die interaksie tussen veranderlikes in ag wat die beskrywing van dinamika moontlik maak. Soos reeds genoem is die eerste doel van die studie om transaksie koste te meet sodat die tweede doelwit van die studie bereik kan word. Die tweede doel is om te bewys dat transaksie koste bemarkingskanaai besluite bëinvloed. Die data analise het beide bogenoemde doelwitte bevredig. Eerstens dat transaksie koste meetbaar is. Tweedens dat transaksie koste 'n groot en selfs oorweldigende effek het op bemarkingskanaai besluite. 'n Derde punt wat sterk na vore gekom het is dat nie-liniêre metodes 'n beter beskrywing van dinamika toelaat.

Thesis (PhD(Agric) (Animal Sciences))--Univsersity of Stellenbosch, 1992.
The anatomy of the muscles of the hindquarters of the ostrich is described and presented graphically for the purpose of the present and future studies in meat science involving the ostrich. In the past, the lack of an accurate anatomical description of this species has led to the incorrect identification of certain muscles by researchers. The process of growth is described for 51 components of the ostrich body, which includes 21 muscles and four organs. Gompertz functions were calculated to formulate growth models for these components. Acceptable goodness-of-fit was obtained for the formulated models regarding the raw skin area, mass of the head, heart, filet and other muscles as well as certain bones. No information on similar models could he found for the description of growth of individual muscles or body parts of other meat animals. However, similar growth models are available for the description of live mass changes over time. Since the general growth curve is sigmoidal it is difficult to fit accurate curves by arithmetical methods. This has led to the development of simpler linear models, which express the growth of a body part relative to the growth of the same entire body. Time based predictions of yield are thus impossible. In fact, many of these allometric equations are simply in a different mathematical form, rather than being totally different equations. Furthermore, the latter equations cannot be used to predict accurate values at the positive and negative extremes since unrealistic values are obtained. Computer programs are presented in the dissertation which can be used without modification on various species, such as fish, poultry, plants and forests, as well as micro organisms in plant pathology, food science and sewage. With the development in computer technology and by means of the suggested programs, it is possible to describe the growth process on a time scale with ease. It is also possible to estimate the mass of any body part at birth (and possibly at conception) as well as at maturity. Evidence is provided that unrealistic asymptotic values are obtained with time based linear and polynomial functions as well as with published non linear allometric models for the description of growth in the ostrich. A goodness-of-fit test for the Gompertz function is presented. It is advisable to carry out this test before fitting alternative models, since the relationship between two variables is only linear on a double log scale when both variables can be described by similar functions on a time scale. A method for the calculation of the standard error at the point where maximum growth occurs is also presented. These methods can successfully be used for any of the above mentioned species. The point at which maximum growth occurred was used to compare the muscles of the hindquarters of the ostrich with that of Merino rams. This showed that these two species differ markedly in this regard. Furthermore, it was proved that certain economically important muscles still gained weight after the optimal skin size (120 dm2) was reached at the age of ten months. It is also shown that the fat content of ostrich meat (filet) varied independently of the abdominal fat content, and that it reached a minimum value of 0.3% at the popular slaughter age of 14 months. Reliable methods for age estimation of a slaughtered bird is presented, based on the growth models. This information can be used to develop a classification system for ostrich meat and other meat animals.

Thesis (PhD(Agric) Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 1988.
Farming with ostriches became established as a new stock-farming activity in South Africa around 1863. Ostrich feathers were then the only commercial product of that activity and fifty years later still held fourth place on the list of exports from South Africa - after gold, diamonds and wool (Smit, 1963). However during the world depression of 1914 - 1945 the appeal of ostrich feathers vanished and the industry collapsed. Today commercial farming with domesticated ostriches (Struthi0 camelus var. domesticus), originating from a cross (Duerden, 1910; Smit, 1963, 1984) between the South African (Struthio camelus australis) and the North African ostriches (Struthio camelus camel us), is again a rapidly expanding activity in South Africa's Little Karoo. This is the only region in the world where farming with ostriches is still encountered at a commercial scale, and although relatively small in the general stock-farming scenario, it provides a livelihood for about 400 farmers who run some 150 000 ostriches. Feathers, together with ostrich leather and meat are all prominent export products that account for foreign exchange earnings of more than R30 million. In terms of monetary value the ostrich industry has grown by more than 300% over the past decade and by al most 100% in the 1ast 5 years. This high growth rate is primarily due to the steady development of the slaughter bird industry in which leather, meat and feathers account for more than 80% of the entire industry's turnover. Ostrich products, however, are primarily exclusive fashion products, of which more than 90% is exported. Because the world market is relatively small, expansion prospects for the industry are limited and sensitive to supply and demand. To ensure the industry's continued economic well-being, ostrich research pays particular attention to production techniques that will help to improve efficiency and result in better product quality and profitability. For the purpose of increased ostrich chick production, ostrich eggs are presently being incubated in large quantities (ca 200 000 eggs per annum). However, hatching success of ostrich eggs in incubators is considerably below that of natural nests, and Burger & Bertram (1981) suggested that it may be due to high humidities (63% relative humidity) commonly used in ostrich incubators. Investigations were undertaken to measure incubation temperatures and humidities during the complete course of 41 days of natural incubation in 6 ostrich nests. In addition, the water vapor conductance of the eggs was measured, as well as the incubation water loss which in other species averages 15% of the initial egg mass and has been proposed as an optimal condition for hatching success (Ar & Rahn, 1978; Rahn 1984). The natural incubation parameters measured during these experiments were adapted and applied to conditions of artificial incubation. This improved the realized hatchability from 50 to 75%. Furthermore the intensive production and finishing of slaughter birds on complete dry meal diets under feedlot conditions is a new development which contains exceptional possibilities for the industry (Swart & Kemm, 1985). Economically and biologically, efficient diet formulation has accordingly become essential for profitable slaughter bird production. The nutritional value of feed constituents for ostriches is, however, still unknown and without it effective least cost diet formulation and programming is not possible. Present growth and finishing diets for ostriches are based on energy values of the dietary components which have been derived from poultry (Blair, Daghir, Morimoto, Peter & Taylor, 1983; Du Preez, Duckitt & Paulse, 1986) and pig values (Kemm & Ras, 1981; NRC, 1973; IAFMM, 1985). This approach may, however, result in unreal estimation of the actual nutritional value of feed constituents for ostriches, so that quantification of their nutritional value has consequently become necessary. During 1985 a multi-disciplinary research programme on ostriches was initiated, the objective being to investigate the energy metabolism and the efficiency of energy utilization in growing farm ostriches. For the purpose of these experiments all ostrich chicks were incubated in an ostrich egg incubator, maintained at a dry bulb temperature of 36°C and a wet bulb temperature of 24,0 ± 1,0°C. These temperature settings were extrapolated from the natural incubation parameters measured in the six naturally incubated nests (Swart, Rahn & De Kock, 1987; Swart & Rahn, 1987). An important aspect of the studies on energy metabolism was to determine the extent to which plant fibre is digested in various segments of the gastrointestinal tract of growing ostriches and whether these birds utilize the end products of fibre digestion, namely volatile fatty acids such as acetic acid, efficiently. The possible use of metabolizable energy to evaluate feedstuffs for ostriches was an initial aim of this study. Subsequently the effect of crude fibre or energy concentration on the digestibility of gross energy, energy loss as methane, heat expenditure, and the effect on the efficiency of ME utilization were investigated. Finally accretion patterns and the partition of metabolizable energy during growth were studied in the young ostrich chick. The findings of the studies on incubation aspects (Section 1) are presented in Chapter 2 and 3 and that of the metabolism studies (Section 2) are presented in Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of this dissertation.

The South African food and clothing retail industry is highly sophisticated and dominated by a few large competitors. The market is unique and has been shaped by abnormal political influences that have created a polarised society. The market holds a high potential owing to the burgeoning young middle class that is also attracting global attention. This necessitates an increase in economies of scale through expansion and acquisition strategies. Woolworths Holdings Limited has experienced significant growth in tough trading conditions whilst many competitors have lost ground. The Woolworths’ brand is primarily aimed at the high-income groupings but also appeals to the burgeoning middle class with their private-label products. The clothing and food divisions also provide a unique appeal that concentrates on the strong brand name to cater to the polarised nature of the market. The Woolworths Holding Limited (WHL) business model aims to offer superior quality at a lower cost than competitors which competitors find difficult to imitate. The apparent paradox is solved through tightly-knit supplier relationships and a culture demanding continuous improvement. The company is uniquely positioned to service the Living Standards Measure (LSM) 8-10 niche market whilst improving efficiencies. The company drives its competitive advantage over competitors through the key competencies of a reputable brand name, a strong sustainability programme, a strong operation and supply chain network, all of which are crucially-supported by superior and innovative technology utilisation. The study analysed the strategic brand positioning with a focus on the introduction of the supermarket concept. The study indicated that the supermarket concept was a reaction from WHL to consumer’s requirements for a one-stop shop aimed at increasing existing customers’ basket spend and drawing similar new clients. An increase in spend is potentially lucrative to WHL, and the strategy is a viable option as long as the company remains focussed on the core principles of the business model.

This study proposes to examme the significance of trade policy in promoting the international competitiveness of South African industry during the period from the early 1970s up until the present day. By providing a background of South Africa's past trade policies, it is argued that the origins of South Africa's low levels of competitiveness essentially lie in the apartheid years where trade policies were not linked to the attainment of international competitiveness and improved productivity. The study then reviews the development of South Africa's trade policies in the 1990s. In so doing, it reveals weaknesses in the areas of implementation which are critiqued in greater detail by using the clothing and textile industries as a case study, and other selected examples. The study finally concludes that trade policy is crucial to global competitiveness and that it is the responsibility of all parties concerned to ensure that trade policies enhance and not inhibit competitiveness.

Thesis (MScAgricAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research paper attempts to elucidate the main issues surrounding the integration of ethical trade, meaning the building, monitoring, and communicating of social and/or environmental responsibility, within the South African wine industry. The author first establishes the hypothesis that social and/or environmental responsibility is important to the South African wine industry, as this investment could theoretically provide the industry with a competitive advantage in an increasingly cutthroat international wine market by addressing the industry's most outstanding defects: the lack of quality production, the need for investment in natural resources (labour and the environment), as well as the call for building brand equity and niche marketing strategies. Put differently, this paper suggests that the investment in social and/or environmental responsibility could offer cost-saving benefits to the industry as well as paving a road to international market access. This research first gives a background of ethical trade and determines a picture of the current situation of the South African wine industry, and lastly, given this information, derives the key opportunities, obstacles, and implications of the potential amalgamation of ethical trade in the industry.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die belangrikste probleme rondom die integrering van etiese handel, waarby bedoel word die bou, monitering en kommunikering van sosiale en/of omgewingsverantwoordelike produksie, binne die Suid-Afrikaanse wynbedryf, toe te lig. Eers word die belangrikheid van etiese handel vir die bedryf vasgestel, en word redeneer dat sodanige belegging teoreties aan die bedryf 'n mededingende voordeel in die internasionale mark kan bied deur aandag te gee aan sekerlik die belangrikste tekortkominge in die Suid-Afrikaanse bedryf. Dit sluit in die gebrek aan genoegsame kwaliteit-produksie, die behoefte aan belegging in kritiese hulpbronne, naamlik mense en die omgewing, asook 'n wekroep vir belegging in handelsmerke en niche-strategieë. Anders gestel, word die voorstel gemaak dat sulke beleggings tot voordeel van die bedryf kan wees deur dat dit koste-besparings en verbeterde toegang tot die internasionale mark teweeg kan bring. Daarom word die begrip etiese handel eers toegelig, gevolg deur 'n strategiese ontleding van die Suid-Afrikaanse bedryf. Gegewe hierdie inligting, word die sleutel geleenthede, beperkinge, en implikasies van die aanvaarding van etiese handel dan ontleed.

The objective of the research was to determine the role which South African trade policy played in shaping the development of the domestic petrochemical industry. The focus of the study falls on the domestic development of the petrochemical industry in general, and the polymer industry in particular. Three broad stages are distinguished in the domestic development of the petrochemical industry. Prior to the early 1970's development occurred primarily on an ad hoc basis, with the establishment of domestic production plants for most major petrochemicals. The development of the domestic petrochemical industry over the period from the early 1970's to the early 1980's was characterised by rapid growth in the domestic production of petrochemicals, while the period from the early 1980's to the early 1990's saw a significant slowdown in the annual growth rate for the domestic production of petrochemicals. The role of trade policy in the industry's development over each of these three periods could not be established conclusively. In each period a number of factors were identified which may have impacted on the industry's development. However, two factors do appear to have played particularly important roles in the industry's development prior to the early 1980's, namely strong growth in domestic petrochemical demand and the provision of a substantial degree of protection through quantitative import controls and tariffs. with regard to the industry's development over the period from the early 1980's to the early 1990's, a number of factors were identified which may have influenced trends in domestic petrochemical production, including the withdrawal of quantitative import controls and the progressive lowering of import tariffs, the depreciation of the rand in the mid-1980's, a slowdown in the growth of the domestic demand for petrochemicals, the fall in the international prices of petrochemicals in the early 1980's, and the fall in the international oil price in the mid-1980's. In view of the small size of the domestic petrochemical market it is recommended that local petrochemical producers should continue to expand their focus beyond that of producing solely for the requirements of the domestic market. In light of the key role played by the petrochemical industry in a modern economy, it is also recommended that the industry in South Africa receive more attention from policy makers than it has in the past.

It is important for business managers to understand customers’ buying behaviours, as customers are the cornerstone of the business’ marketing strategy and the main providers of businesses’ profits. Previous research have identified numerous factors that influence customers’ buying behaviour, factors such as prices, promotions, brand image, brand reputation, customer experience and socio-cultural aspects. Despite the attention given to variables influencing buying behaviour, there was still a gap to be filled in this field of study in the clothing retail industry, especially in the South African clothing retail industry. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to investigate how the understanding of customers’ brand perceptions, customer experience and social considerations can be used by clothing retailers to initiate a purchase. A literature overview was conducted on the global retail industry, the global clothing retail, as well as on the South African retail and, more specifically, the South African clothing retail. In addition, a literature overview on variables influencing buying behaviour was provided, with a special accent on the selected variables for this study, namely brand perceptions, customer experience and social considerations. From the literature overview conducted on variables, seven independent variables were selected to be investigated with the dependent variable, buying behaviour. The independent variables, namely brand perceptions (as measured by brand quality, brand reputation and brand image), customer experience (as measured by store physical environment and staff service), and lastly social considerations (as measured by reference groups and culture/subculture) and the dependent variable (buying behaviour) were then presented in a hypothesised model. An empirical investigation was undertaken to establish the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The measuring instrument used for the investigation was a self-administered questionnaire using seven-point Likert type of scale. The items were constructed based on previous research instruments found in secondary literature sources. The non-probability convenience sampling was implemented in this study to identify respondents. 207 usable questionnaires were collected and were examined through statistical analyses. The validity and the reliability of the measuring instruments were confirmed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the calculation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Descriptive statistics were undertaken to summarise respondents’ demographic information, while Pearson’s Product Moment Correlations were calculated to determine the correlations among variables. Furthermore, the relationships between the variables were assessed through multiple regression analysis, while a t-test and ANOVA tests were conducted to determine the influence of demographic variables on independent variables that showed significant positive relationships with the dependent variable. In addition, post-hoc Scheffe tests were undertaken to elaborate on the significant differences resulting from the t-test and ANOVA tests. Significant positive relationships were found between Brand Image/Reputation and Buying Behaviour, between Store Physical Environment and Buying Behaviour and between Cultural Clothing and Buying Behaviour. The empirical results also showed that there was a significant relationship between Age and Cultural Clothing. In the same way, there was a significant relationship between Population Group and the variables Brand Image/Reputation and Cultural Clothing. This study has contributed to the body of literature on buying behaviour, especially in the field of clothing retail, by extending the factors to consider when aiming at improving buying behaviour. In addition, the development of the hypothesised model significantly contributed towards having a better understanding of customers’ perceptions of the selected variables, and ultimately how these variables could trigger their purchase decisions. As a result, this study enumerated some recommendations and suggestions that should enable retailers to create a positive image and reputation in customers’ minds, assist retailers in arranging the stores in a more attractive way for customers and reach more culture-conscious customers.

The primary objective of this research study was to strategically analyse the meaning of work for fashion retail industry employees with the aim of developing a calling orientation to work.A sample of 84 fashion retail industry employees from Port Elizabeth, South Africa indicated their perception of callings in work; the pathways to callings in work and job satisfaction. Furthermore, fashion retail industry employees also indicated their use of job crafting techniques as a tool to foster meaningful work. This is one of the first studies conducted on callings in work in the fashion retail industry.Findings of the study indicated that although on average fashion retail industry employees are neutral about having a calling orientation to work, 24-27% indicated to having a calling orientation to work. Furthermore the study showed that there is a positive correlation between 1) transcendent guiding force; 2) value-driven behaviour and sense and meaning; 3) identification with one’s work and person-environment fit and a calling orientation to work. The study also indicated that the presence of a transcendent guiding force and job satisfaction are the two independent variables that are influential in achieving calling orientation to work for fashion retail industry employees of Port Elizabeth. Implications and recommendations from this study are outlined.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Meat processing industries in South Africa are faced with the challenge to produce a variety of white meats. This is due to the fact that consumers tend to consume less red meat and more chicken and pork that are perceived to be healthier due to the negative publicity surrounding red meat and health. The nutritional emphasis is on leaner carcasses and an increase in the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids while reducing the ratio of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fats in the diet. Another way in which this can be achieved is through introducing rabbit meat which has low fat, low cholesterol content and high protein content, while displaying a positive fatty acid profile. Carcass quality and meat quality in rabbits may to a large extent be affected by age of slaughter and type of breed. This study had a dual purpose. Firstly it aimed at quantifying the effects of breed and age on parameters pertaining to carcass quality and meat quality of commercial rabbits, namely California breed and hybrid (California x Dutch red). Secondly, to determine the differences between ethnic groups on their perceptions towards rabbit meat, thereby providing information on its marketing potential. To accomplish the first objective 50 rabbits from the two breeds were housed in individual cages, weighed on weekly basis and fed ad libitum. The rabbits were slaughtered at 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 weeks of age (n=5 from each breed). For the second objective the perceptions of three ethnic groups on factors affecting consumers' choice of rabbit meat were determined through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was tested for validity beforehand. There was no significant difference between the two breeds regarding body weight, feed intake, carcass weight and drip loss. The California breed had a higher dressing percentage (53.7%) and meat yield (29.2%) compared to the hybrid (52.5% and 27.5% respectively). Age treatments showed a highly significant difference on all parameters investigated. Increasing the age proportionately increased the amount of fat, while the moisture content decreased. The California breed exhibited higher percentages of fat compared to the hybrid at all ages of treatment. California breed contained more phosphorus, magnesium and zinc as opposed to the hybrid, the only exception being copper, where the hybrid had higher concentrations. The total fatty acid (169.2 mg/100 g) of the California breed was higher than that of the hybrid (133.5 mg/100 g). As a result there were more saturated fatty acids (55.4 mg/100 g) and monounsaturated fatty acids (62.3 mg/100 g) in the California breed than in the hybrid (44.2 and 45.6 mg/100 g respectively). Both breeds had 67% unsaturated fatty acids. Although there was no significant difference between the P:S ratio of the two rabbit breeds, the values obtained were higher (+0.9) than the value of 0.7. This is an indication that the rabbit meat contains a P:S ratio that could be considered very desirable. The n-6:n-3 ratio for both breeds were high (11.6 for California and 12.7 for hybrid). The cholesterol and amino acid profile of the two breeds were not affected by the type of breed. The consumer survey indicated that 52% (n=158) of respondents had never eaten rabbit meat before due to reasons such as scarcity, lack of knowledge about the meat, associating rabbits with pets and cultural constraints. Nevertheless, 57% of these people were optimistic about eating rabbit meat. In addition, having eaten rabbit meat before seemed to contribute positively towards acceptance of rabbit meat. Generally, respondents preferred purchasing rabbit meat in portions as opposed to live or whole carcasses. Their decision to purchase rabbit meat was firstly driven by price, thereafter freshness, leanness and tenderness of meat. The respondents expect to buy rabbit meat at a price lower than that of chicken. Rabbit meat contained low sodium and high proportion polyunsaturated fatty acids-some of the most important food attributes required to maintain and improve health. However, most of the respondents in this study were not familiar with the positive attributes of rabbit meat and need to be taught the benefits of this product.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Suid Afrika is daar 'n uitdaging vir die vleisproduserende voedselindustrieë om 'n verskeidenheid witvleis te bemark. Dit word toegeskryf aan die feit dat verbruikers minder rooi vleis as hoender en vark eet wat as meer gesond beskou word weens die negatiewe publisiteit wat geassosieer word met rooivleis en gesondheid. Die voedingsfokus is op maerder karkasse, groter inname van polionversadigde vetsure, en 'n vermindering in die verhouding n-6:n-3 poli-onversadigde vetsure in die dieet. Een van die maniere waarop dit gedoen kan word, is die bekendstelling van konynvleis wat gekenmerk word deur lae vetinhoud, lae cholesterolinhoud en 'n hoë proteïninhoud, en 'n positiewe vetsuurprofiel. Karkas- en vleiskwaliteit van konyne word tot 'n groot mate geaffekteer deur ouderdom van slagting en die ras. Hierdie studie het 'n tweeledige doel. Eerstens mik dit na die kwantifisering van die effek van ras en ouderdom op die parameters wat met karkas- en vleiskwaliteit van die Kaliforniese ras en die kruisgeteëlde ras (Kaliforniese X Hollandse rooi) verband hou. Tweedens, om die verskille in etniese groepe vas te stel met betrekking tot hulle persepsies van die faktore wat hulle keuse van konynvleis beïnvloed, en op dié wyse inligting te verkry t.o.v die bemarkingspotensiaal daarvan. Om in die eerste doelwit te slaag is 50 konyne van die twee rasse in individuele hokke gehuisves, op 'n weeklikse basis geweeg en ad libitum gevoer. Die konyne was geslag op 9, 11, 13, 15 en 17 weke (n=5 vir elke ras). Vir die tweede doelwit, is die persepsies van drie etniese groepe oor die faktore wat die verbruikerskeuse van konynvleis kan bepaal, m.b.v. 'n gestruktureerde vraelys bepaal. Die vraelys is vooraf vir geldigheid evalueer. Daar was geen beduidende verskil tussen die twee rasse wat betref liggaamsmassa, voedselinname, karkasgewig en dripverlies nie. Die Kaliforniese ras het 'n hoër uitslag-persentasie (53.7%) en vleisopbrengs (29,2%) in vergelyking met die kruisgeteëlde ras (52.5% en 27.5% respektiewelik) gehad. Ouderdom het hoogsbeduidende verskille op al die parameters wat ondersoek was, getoon. Die toename in ouderdom was gepaardgaande met proporsionele toename in karkasvet en afname in vog. Die Kaliforniese ras het, by alle ouderdomsbehandelings, in vergelyking met die kruisgeteëlde ras, 'n hoër persentasie vet opgelewer. Die Kaliforniese ras het teenoor die kruisgeteëlde ras hoër fosfor, magnesium en sink bevat. Die uitsondering was koper waar die kruisgeteëlde ras 'n hoër waarde gehad het. Die totale vetsure vir die Kaliforniese ras (169.2 mg/100 g) was hoër as vir die kruisgeteëlde ras (133.5 mg/100 g). Om dié rede was daar in die Kaliforniese ras meer versadigde vetsure (55.4 mg/100 g) en monoonversadigde vetsure (62.3 mg/100 g) as vir die kruisgeteëlde ras (44.2 mg/100 g en 45.6 mg/100g onderskeidelik). Beide rasse het 67% onversadigde vetsure gehad. Hoewel daar geen beduidende verskille was in die polionversadigde:versadigde (P:V) verhouding nie, was die waardes hoër (+0.9) as die 0.7 wat aanbeveel word. Die n-6:n-3 verhouding vir beide rasse was hoog (11.6 vir die Kaliforniese ras en 12.7 vir die kruisgeteëlde ras). Die cholesterol- en die aminosuurprofiel was nie deur die ras beïnvloed nie. Die verbruikersnavorsing het getoon dat 52% (n=158) van die respondente om verskeie redes nog nie konynvleis geëet het nie, weens redes soos onverkrygbaarheid, gebrekkige kennis van die vleis, die assosiasie van konyne met troeteldiere en kulturele beperkinge. Desnieteenstaande is daar 57% van die respondente wat optimisties is oor die eet van konynvleis. Die eet van konynvleis by vorige geleenthede het bygedra tot die positiewe aanvaarding van konynvleis. Oor die algemeen het die respondente verkies om konynvleis in porsies te koop, in plaas van lewendig of heel karkasse. Die besluit om konynvleis te koop, is hoofsaaklik gedryf deur prys, daarna deur varsheid, maerheid en sagtheid van die vleis. Die respondente verwag dat die prys vir konynvleis laer sal wees as vir hoender. Konynvleis bevat lae natrium en 'n hoë verhouding poli-onversadigde vetsure - van die mees belangrike voedingeienskappe om gesondheid te handhaaf en te verbeter. Ongelukkig was meeste van die respondente in hierdie studie nie vertroud met die positiewe eienskappe van konynvleis nie, en moet hulle geleer word deur middel van omvattende bemarkingsaksies van die voordele van hierdie produk.

Thesis (MTech (Teacher Education ))--Cape Technikon, Cape Town,1997
This study is aimed at instructional design for training tourist guides in order to specifically enable them to accommodate the requirements and expectations of "new" South African tourists wishing to join a package tour. The latter refers to those citizens who have previously been excluded from tourism destinations and/or attractions because ofracial regulations ofthe past.. The traditional role ofthe tourist guide and the present-day modus within which it has realised, have been examined reaching the conclusion that the designation "tourist guide" means far more, now focusing on being an educator and culture broker. This new role requires a new and innovative training. Although training courses for tourist guides do exist, these courses do not equip guides to act as culture brokers, mediating between tourists and hosts or host destinations, nor between foreign tourists and all facets ofthe diverse South African culture. Tourist guides occupy key positions in the tourism industry. They make the work of tourism planners, marketers, developers, travel agents and tour operators accessible to tourists. This implies unfolding reality to tourists, setting professional standards and interacting with local communities. This comprehensive role is often not attained as desired because those accepting the responsibility for it are not sufficiently trained, indeed not when the needs and expectations of "new" domestic tourists are considered. The abovementioned curriculum design was launched with a needs assessment to determine the needs of"new" domestic tourists, as only the needs and expectations ofwhite, traditional, indeed.

In several countries around the world, grain commodities are traded as assets on stock exchanges. This indicate that the market and effectively the prices of the grain commodities in such countries, are controlled by several local and international economic, political and social factors that are rapidly changing. As a result, the prices of some grain commodities are volatile and trading in such commodities are prone to price-related risks. There are different trading strategies for minimising price-related risks and maximising profits. But empirical research suggests that making the right decision for effective grain commodities trading has been a difficult task for stakeholders due to high volatility of grain commodities prices. Studies have shown that this is more challenging among grain commodities farmers because of their lack of skills and the time to sift through and make sense of the datasets on the plethora of factors that influence the grain commodities market. This thesis focused on providing an answer for the main research problem that grain farmers in South Africa do not take full advantage of all the available strategies for trading their grain commodities because of the complexities associated with monitoring the large datasets that influence the grain commodities market. The main objective set by this study is to design a framework that can be followed to collect, integrate and analyse datasets that influence trading decisions of grain farmers in South Africa about grain commodities. This study takes advantage of the developments in Big Data and Data Science to achieve the set objective using the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology. The prediction of future prices of grain commodities for the different trading strategies was identified as an important factor for making better decisions when trading grain commodities and the key factors that influence the prices were identified. This was followed by a critical review of the literature to determine how the concepts of Big Data and Data Science can be leveraged for an effective grain commodities trading decision support. This resulted in a proposed framework for grain commodities trading. The proposed framework suggested an investigation of the factors that influence the prices of grain commodities as the basis for acquiring the relevant datasets. The proposed framework suggested the adoption of the Big Data approach in acquiring, preparing and integrating relevant datasets from several sources. Furthermore, it was suggested that algorithmic models for predicting grain commodities prices can be developed on top of the data layer of the proposed framework to provide real-time decision support. The proposed framework suggests the need for a carefully designed visualisation of the result and the collected data that promotes user experience. Lastly, the proposed framework included a technology consideration component to support the Big Data and Data Science approach of the framework. To demonstrate that the proposed framework addressed the main problem of this research, datasets from several sources on trading white maize in South Africa and the factors that influence market were streamed, integrated and analysed. Backpropagation Neural Network algorithm was used for modelling the prices of white maize for spot and futures trading strategies were predicted. There are other modelling techniques such as the Box-Jenkins statistical time series analysis methodology. But, Neural Networks was identified as more suitable for time series data with complex patterns and relationships. A demonstration system was setup to provide effective decision support by using near real-time data to provide a dynamic predictive analytics for the spot and December futures contract prices of white maize in South Africa. Comparative analysis of predictions made using the model from the proposed framework to actual data indicated a significant degree of accuracy. A further evaluation was carried out by asking experienced traders to make predictions for the spot and December futures contract prices of white maize. The result of the exercise indicated that the predictions from the developed model were much closer to the actual prices. This indicated that the proposed framework is technically capable and generally useful. It also shows that the proposed framework can be used to provide decision support about trading grain commodities to stakeholders with lesser skills, experience and resources. The practical contribution of this thesis is that relevant datasets from several sources can be streamed into an integrated data source in real-time, which can be used as input for a real-time learning algorithmic model for predicting grain commodities prices. This will make it possible for a predictive analytics that responds to market volatility thereby providing an effective decision support for grain commodities trading. Another practical contribution of this thesis is a proposed framework that can be followed for developing a Decision Support System for trading in grain commodities. This thesis made theoretical contributions by building on the information processing theory and the decision making theory. The theoretical contribution of this thesis consists of the identification of Big Data approach, tools and techniques for eradicating uncertainty and equivocality in grain commodities trading decision making process.

Product innovation and its efficient diffusion are important to enhance factor productivity, market access, job creation and trade. Innovative firms remain competitive in an increasingly global environment. Product innovation add maximum economic value when the new knowledge and technical know-how are spread through the economy. Standardisation of products is regarded as a vital tool to enable the diffusion of product innovations. The economic rationale for standardisation is based on the theory market failure that requires some sort of correction. Standardisation is regarded as a public good, a form of technical infrastructure. It reduces transaction costs and information asymmetries
increased the willingness of consumers to pay, which in turn increases the success and diffusion of innovation. Lower transaction costs result in reduced production and distribution costs. For consumers it also results in reduced search and testing costs as well as reduced time and effort to evaluate quality. Studies on the impact of standardisation were done for some developed countries, but not for developing countries. Unlike most studies that have a narrow industry-focus, this report has a broader focus on the impact of various types of standards on product innovation, market access and trade. It presented specific case studies for various industries in South Africa as well as studies on the impact of standards internationally.

Deregulation as an open market system is likely to be implemented in the Petroleum industry of South Africa. To secure the success of the retail petroleum industry by means of business and job opportunities one has to investigate the current evolution of the industry and what factors will have a measurable impact on the retail petroleum industry.

Mini-study project (MBA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study considers the importance of research and development (R&D) investment for enhanced productivity in the agricultural sector. In this regard, some detail of R&D investments will be discussed. Focus is given to research intensity ratios and government spending intensities in different parts of the world, for both developed and developing countries. Furthermore, the extent of focus on investment activities by the public and private sector, respectively, will be considered. Aspects of agricultural R&D in Africa, such as the crisis of funding, incentives to perform, priorities and procedures will be deliberated. Measures for reform will be addressed. Thereafter, the sustainability of investment in agricultural R&D will be emphasized. Roles and responsibilities of the public and private sectors, funding adequacy, funding trends and mechanisms of funding are discussed. Attention will be given to the impact public and agricultural policies have on both the level and nature of agricultural investment. Furthermore, R&D efforts may impact a wide audience and in this regard welfare implications for different interest groups are evaluated. Previous econometric studies are discussed. The relationship between R&D investment and productivity in the sugar industry in South Africa is studied for the period 1925-2001 within the context of a production function regression. Data were obtained from the South African Sugar Association Experiment Station. The dependent variable was sucrose yield, while the independent variables were rainfall, land used in sugar production, technology and production costs. The techniques of ordinary least squares and Ridge Regression, respectively, were used. Using ordinary least squares, it was determined that the length of the R&D lag was three years. The short lag length may be justified by the fact that research done by the Experiment Station is of an applied nature and research, training and extension are integrated by this commodity organisation. Furthermore, the education level of South African commercial farmers is relatively high. All the variables were economically relevant and statistically significant at the 1% level, except the land variable, which was statistically significant at the 5% level. In addition, it was established that there was a structural change in the model during the period concerned. The impact of technology on sucrose yield was higher during 1959-1979, than either before or after this period. Remedies and violations to the classic normal linear regression model were considered. In particular, there was evidence of multicollinearity, as indicated by the high condition index and variance inflation factors. Multicollinearity was addressed using the technique of Ridge Regression (k=O,15).The R2 determined for this model was 83,43%. All the t-statistics, except for land, were statistically significant at the 1% level. The t-statistics describing the technology and production cost variables were higher in the Ridge Regression model. However, the land variable proved to be unstable using Ridge Regression, as the sign changed. This made it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the contribution of this variable. It was concluded that the Ridge regression model provided the best fit to the data. Finally, the rate of return to R&D investment in the sugar industry in South Africa was calculated. Cost-benefit analysis yielded a benefiUcost value of 1,61, when allowing for direct spillover effects to millers. Furthermore, the export realisation price for sugar was used in the calculation. Costs included those of production, harvesting and land. Using the three-year lag determined in this study, the internal rate of return in the South African sugar industry was estimated as 17{20%. This exceeds the discount rate in South African agriculture, the latter that is equal to 6%. In conclusion, this study makes the argument that even if a commodity displays public good characteristics, there may still be incentives for the private sector to invest, especially if research benefits can be internalised in the industry. A prime example of this situation may be seen in the sugar industry in South Africa, which is privately-funded by industry levies. This concept can be stretched to include other industries. Furthermore, this study established that there was sufficient statistical evidence to conclude, that there is a relationship between investment in R&D and increased productivity in the sugar industry in South Africa, at the 1% level of significance. In addition, it was determined that these investments yielded a high . rate of return.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie oorweeg die belangrikheid van investering in navorsing en ontwikkeling vir verbeterde produktiwiteit in die landbousektor. In hierdie verband, sal sekere aspekte van navorsing en ontwikkelingsbeleggings bespreek word. Fokus· sal gegee word aan navorsingsintensiteit verhoudings and regeringsbestedings intensiteite in verskillende dele van die wêreld, vir beide ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende lande. Verder, sal die mate waarin die publieke- en privaatsektore betrokke is by investering in navorsing en ontwikkeling, oorweeg word. Verskillende aspekte van navorsing en ontwikkeling in landbou in Afrika word bespreek. Voorbeelde hiervan is die krisis in befondsing, motivering om te presteer, prioriteite en prosedures. Stappe vir hervorming word oorweeg. Vervolgens, word die volhoubaarheid van investering in navorsing en ontwikkeling beskou. Daar is verskillende rolle en verantwoordelikhede vir beide die publieke- en privaatsektore in hierdie verband. Verder, lê aspekte van befondsing, soos die genoegsaamheid daarvan, verandering in maniere van befondsing en verskillende meganismes van befondsing, onder die riem. Fokus sal gegee word aan die impak van publieke - en landbouregulasies op beide die vlak en tipe landbou investering wat waargeneem word. Navorsing en ontwikkelingsaktiwiteite beïnvloed 'n wye verskeidenheid van belangegroepe. Die mate waarin hierdie groepe geaffekteer word, word oorweeg. Die verwantskap tussen investering in navorsing en ontwikkeling en produktiwiteit in die suikerindustrie in Suid-Afrika word vervolgens beskou. Vorige ekonometriese artikels word bespreek, waarna modelle van meervoudige lineêre regressie bepaal word. Data vir die periode 1925-2001, wat produksie in die suikerindustrie beskryf, is verkry van die Suid-Afrikaanse Suiker Assosiasie Eksperiment Stasie. Die afhanklike veranderlike is opbrengs van sukrose, terwyl die onafhanklike veranderlikes na reënval, land onder suikerproduksie, produksiekostes en tegnologie verwys. Die tegnieke van gewone kleinste kwadrate en rif regressie (Ridge Regression) is gebruik. Deur die tegniek van gewone kleinste kwadrate te gebruik, is dit bepaal dat die sloer voor die voordele van navorsing en ontwikkeling inskop, drie jaar is. Dat die sloer wat bepaal is so kort is, kan gemotiveer word deur die feit dat die navorsing wat gedoen word deur die Eksperiment Stasie, van 'n toegepaste aard is. Verder is navorsing, opleiding en ekstensie is geïntegreer. Die vlak van opvoeding van Suid- Afrikaanse kommersiële boere is ook relatief hoog. AI die veranderlikes was ekonomies relevant en statisties beduidend by die 1% vlak, behalwe die veranderlike wat land onder suikerproduksie beskryf, wat beduidend was by die 5% vlak. Verder is dit bepaal, dat daar 'n strukturele verandering in die model ingetree het. Die impak van tegnologie was groter tydens die 1959-1979 periode, as vóór of ná hierdie tydperk. Daar is verskeie aannames wat gemaak word met die gebruik van 'n lineêre regressie model. Daar was tekens van multikolineariteit, soos duidelik deur die hoë waardes vir die kondisie indeks en variansie inflasie indeks aangedui is. Multikolineariteit is aangespreek deur die tegniek van rif regressie (k=0,15) te gebruik. Die R2 waarde wat vir hierdie model bepaal is, is 83,43%. AI die t-waardes, behalwe dié van land, was statisties beduidend by die 1% vlak. Dié veranderlike se koëffisiëntleken het met rif regressie, verander van negatief na positief. Siende dat die veranderlike geblyk het om onstabiel te wees, was dit moeilik om ferm beslissings oor die bydrae daarvan te lewer. Wanneer die rif regressie model vergelyk word met die model wat strukturele verandering beskryf met gewone kleinste kwadrate, is die t-waardes wat tegnologie en produksiekoste beskryf, heelwat hoër in die eersgenoemde model. Dit was beslis dat die rif regressie model die beste passing vir die data gebied het. Vervolgens is die terugkeerkoers tot investering in navorsing en ontwikkeling vir die suikerindustrie in Suid-Afrika bereken. Die beraamde waarde vir die voordeel/koste van navorsing en ontwikkeling was 1,61. Die voordeel wat deur suikerindustriemeulenaars verkry is, is in berekening gebring. Verder is die uitvoer realisasieprys vir suiker gebruik. Die kostes het dié van produksie, oes en geleentheidskoste van land ingesluit. Die interne terugkeerkoers vir die suikerindustrie in Suid-Afrika is bereken as 17,20%, inaggenome die drie jaar sloer voor die voordele van navorsing en ontwikkeling realiseer. Hierdie waarde is heelwat hoër as die verdiskonteringskoers in die Suid-Afrikaanse landboubedryf, wat beraam word op 6%. Ter samevatting, in hierdie studie word geargumenteer dat al sou 'n kommoditeit eienskappe van openbare goedere toon, daar tog motivering is vir die privaatsektor om te investeer, veral as die voordele van navorsing en ontwikkeling in die industrie self ge-internaliseer word. 'n Welsprekende geval hiervan is die suikerindustrie in Suid-Afrika wat privaat befonds word. Hierdie beginsel kan gestrek word om ander industrieë in te sluit. Verder was daar in hierdie studie oorweldigende statistiese bewyse, by die 1% vlak van beduidendheid, van 'n verwantskap tussen investering in navorsing en ontwikkeling in die suikerindustrie in Suid-Afrika en verhoogde produktiwiteit. Vervolgens was dit bepaal dat hierdie investerings 'n goeie terugkeerkoers gelewer het.

Introduction: The South African economy has shown very little economic growth and car sales declined steadily from 1988 till they increased slightly in 1999. 2000 saw the economy recovering from a recession, and motor vehicle sales increasing. In order for the South African motor manufacturing industry to remain viable, the manufacturers, who must operate within the framework of the Motor Industry Development Plan, face increasing international competition as the large motor firms from around the world strive to gain a foothold in Africa in anticipation of an “African Renaissance.” South African manufacturers have to develop appropriate strategies to ensure profitability and survival in the new millennium. This entails a thorough analysis of the changing business environment the industry finds itself trading in.

The recent surge in foreign capital inflows into developing countries has generated interest among researchers wanting to analyse the major determinants of Foreign Direct Investments in the motor industry (FDIsm). This dissertation investigates the determinants of FDI in the motor industry in South Africa. The underpinning theoretical literature in this study is the Micro-level theory of FDI and the Eclectic theory as well as empirical literature from several authors. The study used quarterly time series data, which covers the period 1994q1- 2008q4. FDIs are modeled as the function of economic growth, interest rates, exchange rate, education and the openness of the country. The variables in the model are tested for stationarity. Cointegration analysis was also used to test for long run relationships between the variables. The trace and the maximum eigenvalue tests suggest that there are at least two cointegration relationships, an error correction modelling technique is used to establish the determinants of foreign direct investment. The error correction model was estimated which provided both long run and short run parameter estimates. The results show that economic growth, education and the openness of the country are positively related to foreign direct investment in the motor industry. Interest rates and exchange rates negatively affect foreign direct investment in the motor industry in South Africa. The results of this study are also supported by the impulse response and variance decomposition tests. The policy recommendation that emanate from this study is that efforts should be made to boost the level of economic growth in order to enhance and attract more foreign investors. It is therefore important for the government to purse policies that will encourage economic growth.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has been integrated into the global economy since the abolishment of the apartheid era in 1994 through a rapid programme of trade liberalisation. Its footwear industry illustrates the effects of these policies on companies and their real output, employment and wage payments, which are among the most important channels through which the market forces (supply and demand) affect poverty in a developing economy. Exporting has been driven by trade liberalisation, but the restructuring of companies to keep up with technology and the effect of cheaper imports from the East have been the main reasons for a substantial fall in total employment, while manufacturing has stagnated. Labour productivity has increased with better production methods and some innovation, which had a positive effect on wage payments to workers in this labour-intensive industry. South Africa has not been isolated from the world recession that began in 2008, therefore manufacturing – the second biggest sector in SA – has been in free-fall this year, sliding by double digits on a year-on-year basis. The footwear industry’s attractiveness is therefore seen as moderate, but with potential once the economy starts growing again. A factor that needs to be taken into account is the exchange rate of the South African rand, which has gained more than 20 per cent to the dollar so far this year. This has been the main reason why the fall in exports has been larger than that of imports. These lower imports also highlighted weak consumer demand.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vanaf 1994, met die beëindiging van die apartheidsera, het Suid-Afrika se toetrede tot die wêreldekonomie voortgesnel danksy handelsintegrasie. Die Suid-Afrikaanse skoenbedryf is ’n tipiese voorbeeld hiervan, en maatskappye in die bedryf getuig daarvan deur werklike uitsette, werkverskaffing en loonbetalings wat die belangrikste vorme is om markewewigte (vraag en aanbod) in a onderontwikkelde ekonomie te bevredig. Uitvoere is die gevolg van hierdie handelsintegrasie, maar vele maatskappye het agterweë gebly om tegnologies vooruit te gaan. Tesame met goedkoper invoere uit die Ooste, was dit die vernaamste rede vir werkloosheid in die skoenbedryf terwyl produksie gestagneer het. In sekere gevalle het werkers se produktiwiteit verhoog as gevolg van beter produksiemetodes en innovasie, wat ’n positiewe effek op die salarisse en lone van werkers in die bedryf gehad het. Die wêreldresessie in 2008 het Suid-Afrika ook negatief beïnvloed, veral die tweede grootste sektor, naamlik vervaardiging, wat tot dubbelsyfers gedaal het op ’n jaar-op-jaar basis. Die skoenbedryf word gesien as ’n gematigde bedryf om in besigheid te doen, maar met heelwat potensiaal wanneer die Suid-Afrikaanse ekonomie weer begin groei. ’n Belangrike faktor is die wisselkoers van die Suid-Afrikaanse rand teenoor die Amerikaanse dollar, wat met meer as 20 persent toegeneem het. Dit is die hoofrede vir ’n groter daling in uitvoere as invoere. Laer invoere beklemtoon ook die swak verbruikersvraag.

Thesis (MComm)—Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to undertake an inquiry on the competitive performance of the South African stone fruit industry since the early 1960s, with an emphasis on the more recent years since the mid-1990s, when the industry was deregulated. A comprehensive approach was applied in reaching conclusion in this study by employing a five-step analytical framework, built on well-established approaches by Balassa (revealed comparative advantage, RCA), Vollrath (relative trade advantage, RTA) and the Porter Diamond Model, adapted to accommodate innovative statistical methods to reflect differences in opinions and views more accurately. Competitiveness in this study is defined to give effect to the global trade orientation of the industry as the sustained ability of the South African stone fruit industry to attract investment by trading its produce competitively within the global marketplace, whilst continuously striving to earn returns greater that the opportunity cost of scarce resources engaged. Five phases were identified in the competitive performance of the South African stone fruit industry since 1961, showing the fluctuating nature of the performance of this industry:  Phase I (1961-1982): Increasingly regulated competitiveness  Phase II (1983-1990): Politically constrained competitiveness  Phase III (1991-1999): Economic deregulation and internal rivalry  Phase IV (1999-2007): Towards international competitiveness  Phase V (2007 – present): Increasingly sustained competitiveness The RTA calculations, including both exports and imports, showed that the industry is highly competitive, both internationally – in the Southern Hemisphere where this industry is only out-performed by Chile and locally – compared to other South African (SA) horticultural crops, with plums consistently claiming the top position when individual stone fruit types in the SA deciduous fruit category are analysed. Through the Stone Fruit Executive Survey (SFES), views and opinions of prominent industry role-players were critically employed to interrogate the topic under discussion. A total of 84 factors affecting the competitiveness of the industry were identified, and these were rated on a five-point Likert scale (where 5 were most enhancing and 1 was most constraining). This study expanded the analytical framework used in recent agri-competitiveness studies to verify and cross-check the results and findings through statistical procedures, such as cluster analyses, principle component analyses and Cronbach’s alpha. This broadened the scope of analysis by accommodating the variance in opinion statements from the respondents. As different cluster groupings based on functional value chain positions were analysed, it became clear that there were significant differences between the respondents involved in the primary production and packing/processing of stone fruit and the respondents involved in activities lower down the value chain, such as in pack houses/processors and exporters/marketers. Further down the value chain the respondents expressed more optimistic views and positive statements on competitiveness than those exposed to primary production risks and uncertainties. This confirms the importance to expand competitive analysis to different points in the value chain The rated factors were grouped into Porter’s six determinants and the general scored ratings yielded the two most enhancing determinants, being business strategy, structure and rivalry (3.55 out of 5) and related and supporting industries (3.14 out of 5). Production factor conditions (2.81 out of 5) and demand/market factors (2.76 out of 5) were identified as being less enhancing determinants. Chance factors (2.66 out of 5) and government support and policy (2.35 out of 5) were identified as the two most constraining determinants. The current approach is that the framework of Esterhuizen (2006) is applied to agriculture-related competitiveness studies. This study, however, investigated the extension of the conventional model by adapting the Porter diamond model within the frameworks of the Institute for Management Development’s World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) and the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report (GCR), which generally focus on the macro-economic situation. It was confirmed that the stone fruit industry is integrated into and forms part of the ‘broader economic picture’. The results and findings of this study were discussed in a number of focus sessions with industry role players. A strategic planning framework was drafted, which consisted out of eleven industry level strategic proposals. Some of the most important strategic improvements to enhance competitive performance argued for in this study are improved industry-based lobby discussions, i.e. to build and strengthen the necessary communication between industry role players and government agencies through an improved strategic intelligence database, by focusing on aspects such as trade agreements, international market development and policy development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om ’n ondersoek van die mededingende prestasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse steenvrugbedryf sedert die vroeë 1960’s te onderneem, met die klem op die meer onlangse tydperk sedert die middel-1990’s, toe die bedryf gedereguleer is. ’n Omvattende benadering is ingespan deur gebruik te maak van ’n vyfstap- analitiese raamwerk wat geskoei is op die goed gevestigde benaderings van Balassa (onthulde vergelykende voordeel – revealed comparative advantage - RCA), Vollrath (relatiewe handelsvoordeel – relative trade advantage - RTA) en die Porter-diamantmodel, wat aangepas is om innoverende statistiese metodes te akkommodeer om verskille in gesigspunte beter te weergee. Mededingendheid in hierdie studie word gedefinieer om effek te gee aan die globale handelsoriëntasie van die bedryf as die volhoubare vermoë van die Suid-Afrikaanse steenvrugbedryf om belegging te lok deur sy produkte mededingend in die globale mark te verhandel, terwyl daar voortdurend gestreef word om opbrengste te verdien wat groter is as die geleentheidskoste van die skaars hulpbronne gebruik. Vyf fases in die mededingendheid van die Suid-Afrikaanse steenvrugbedryf is sedert 1961 geïdentifiseer en toon die wisselende aard van die prestasie in hierdie bedryf:  Fase I (1961-1982): Toenemend gereguleerde mededingendheid  Fase II (1983-1990): Polities beperkte mededingendheid  Fase III (1991-1999): Ekonomiese deregulering en interne mededinging  Fase IV (1999-2007): Op weg na internasionale mededingendheid  Fase V (2007 – vandag): Toenemend volhoubare mededingendheid Die RTA-berekenings, wat uitvoere en invoere insluit, het aangetoon dat die bedryf hoogs mededingend is, beide internasionaal – waar die industrie slegs die Chili oortref word en plaaslik – in vergelyking met ander Suid-Afrikaanse (SA) hortologiese gewasse, met pruime wat voorop staan wanneer individuele steenvrugsoorte in die SA sagtevrugtebedryf geanaliseer is. Deur die Steenvrug Uitvoerende Opname (Stone Fruit Executive Survey (SFES)) is die sienings en opinies van vooraanstaande rolspelers krities gebruik om die onderwerp te ondervra. ’n Totaal van 84 faktore wat die mededingendheid van die bedryf beïnvloed, is geïdentifiseer, en hierdie is op ’n vyfpunt-Likertskaal geëvalueer (met 5 as die mees versterkend en 1 as die mees stremmend). Hierdie studie het die analitiese raamwerk wat in onlangse agri-mededingendheidstudies gebruik is, uitgebrei om die resultate deur middel van statistiese prosedures te verifieer en te kruiskontroleer, naamlik deur bondelanalises, hoofkomponent-ontledings (principle component analyses) en Cronbach se alfa. Dít het die strekking van die analise verbreed deur die verskillende opinies van die respondente te akkommodeer. Soos verskillende bondels op grond van funksionele posisies in die waardeketting geanaliseer is, het dit duidelik geword dat daar noemenswaardige verskille was tussen die respondente in die primêre produksie en verpakking/verwerking van steenvrugte en die respondente betrokke in aktiwiteite laer af in die waardeketting, soos in pakhuise/verwerkers en uitvoerders/bemarkers. Verder af in die waardeketting het die respondente meer optimistiese opinies en positiewe stellings oor mededingendheid uitgespreek as dié wat aan primêre produksierisiko’s en onsekerhede blootgestel was. Dit bevestig die belangrikheid daarvan om mededingende analise na verskillende punte in die waardeketting uit te brei. Die gemete faktore is in Porter se ses determinante verdeel en die algemeen aangetekende skattings het die twee mees versterkende determinante opgelewer, naamlik sakestrategie, struktuur en mededinging (3.55 uit 5) en verwante en ondersteunende bedrywe (3.14 uit 5). Produksiefaktortoestande (2.81 uit 5) en vraag/markfaktore (2.76 uit 5) is geïdentifiseer as minder versterkende determinante. Toevallige faktore (2.66 uit 5) en regeringsondersteuning en -beleid (2.35 uit 5) is geïdentifiseer as die twee mees stremmende determinante. Die huidige benadering is dat Esterhuizen (2006) se raamwerk op landbou-verwante mededingendheidstudies toegepas word. Hierdie studie het egter die uitbreiding van die konvensionele model ondersoek deur die Porter-diamantmodel binne die raamwerke van die Institute for Management Development se World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) en die World Economic Forum se Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) aan te pas. Hierdie dokumente fokus oor die algemeen op die makro-ekonomiese situasie. Daar is bevestig dat die steenvrugbedryf in die ‘breër ekonomiese situasie’ geïntegreer is en daarvan deel is. Die resultate en bevindings van hierdie studie is in ’n aantal fokussessies met bedryfsrolspelers bespreek. ʼn Strategiese beplanningsraamwerk was opgestel wat bestaan uit elf industrie-vlak strategiese voorstelle. Van die belangrikste strategiese verbeterings om mededingende prestasie te verhoog, waarvoor daar in hierdie studie geargumenteer is, is verbeterde “drukgroepgesprekke”, m.a.w. om die nodige kommunikasie tussen bedryfsrolspelers en die regering te bou en te verstrek deur ’n verbeterde strategiese intelligensie- databasis wat o.a. fokus op aspekte soos handelsooreenkomste, internasionale markontwikkeling en beleidsontwikkeling.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 327-346). A random population survey and a survey of vegetarians were conducted to examine South Australians' beliefs about meat and vegetarianism. Meat beliefs, barriers and benefits of vegetarianism, meat consumption, personal values, use of and trust in sources of food/nutrition/health information and demographic variables were measured.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on December 18, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MTech (Public Relations Management)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016.
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of internal communication on employee productivity and perception in the automotive services (aftermarket) industry in South Africa. The aim is also to provide recommendations to improve the internal communication in the industry. According to Grunig (2011), organisations are realising that employees are their most important competitive advantage, and effective communication helps unleash the talents and energies of their employees. The literature review, which provides the theoretical perspectives upon which this study is based, comprises literature from a South African and international perspective. The literature outlined includes the Systems Approach, Excellence Theory, internal communication, productivity, perception, the automotive industry and the role of the communications practitioner. A qualitative research method is used to seek answers to questions and to understand an aspect of the working environment. This method is also used to understand the experiences and attitudes of the participants. To collect the required data, in-depth interviews were conducted with eight employees at various levels in an automotive services organisation. The interview questions were asked under three headings, namely: Internal Communication; Productivity and the Role of the Communications Practitioner. The responses of the participants and the research findings are then compared to the literature review. The major findings indicate that internal communication definitely impacts on the productivity and perception of the employees in the organisation. While certain aspects of internal communication in the automotive services organisation are effective, there is still room for improvement. This improvement should not be a once-off task. Management in the organisation is encouraged to conduct regular and on-going research to remain current and also to ensure that communication remains effective. Various types of research may be conducted at all levels in the organisation, internally and externally, which should consider the various aspects and elements of the organisation.

The South African automotive industry is by no means a ―cut and paste‖ version of their overseas counterparts. The industry and the market are very complex. The historical background of the industry is such that companies have difficulty forming partnerships and joint ventures with bigger international conglomerates. The difficulty with this kind of mindset is that it is restricting growth and development of the nation as a whole. Globalisation is a future we cannot be avoided. Should the nation continue to reject it and embrace the mindset of countries in Africa, South Africa (SA) will continue on the path that the rest of Africa is heading, a path that leading to self-destruct and segregation. Even though SA is a developing country, it is in some areas as developed as many other first world countries. For a country to generate wealth it needs to be innovative and develop an entrepreneurial consciousness. A young country like South Africa needs creative thinkers and opportunists that can see into the future, seizing every opportunity, to grow and develop new ideas and business. In order for a country to grow it needs a leadership that is to nurture the baby of innovation. If South Africa wants to be part of the global village it need to develop a trade policy that welcomes trade and at the same time creates stable and sustainable jobs. The environment for investments needs to be cultivated in a problem-free and growth prone nation. This can only happen when the educational level of the nation is improved. The fact that so many skilled workers need to be imported creates tension in the labour market. People with talent need to have a reason to stay in the country. Their salaries should match that of their overseas counterparts. Furthermore, with the same skill level and work ethic, should have the same rewards and remuneration.

The South African automotive industry has been identified as an important influence on the economy of South Africa. In particular, it plays a role in job creation in a country with high unemployment rates. However, being linked to a global industry, its competitive position and future relevance have come into question on numerous occasions. After a period of isolation and protection, the local industry had to enter global competition. The competitive playing field had suddenly widened from companies competing locally amongst each other for local market share, to competing globally for international sales. In addition it was found that competition was not only limited to opposing brands but also existed within the subsidiaries of the same brand. The reason for this was the existence of overcapacity in the manufacturing facilities internationally. Coupled with this, most of the dominant vehicle manufacturers were creating more capacity in developing markets to support demand as well as to benefit from cheaper resources. There are of course many influencing factors on the competitive position of such an important industry. The value chain has been identified as a tool to analyse and compare the activities within rival businesses or industry role players. Two primary activities within the value chain are inbound logistics and outbound logistics. The objective of the research was to investigate the influence of inbound and outbound logistics on the competitiveness of the South African automotive industry. A literature review created the conceptual framework for the research. It was necessary to discuss the automotive industry in a global sense to understand the history and trends of the development within the industry. It was also necessary to understand the South African automotive industry within this context to identify its place and relevance in global terms. It was found that, although important to the local economy, the local industry was not a dominant force to be reckoned with and was in fact being over taken by many of its competitors. Part of this investigation was spent on the development of the local industry in a protected environment and what it meant for the growth of local content and exports. This was also important as the component manufacturers based in South Africa need critical mass to create an efficient platform to be globally competitive. It was found that historic development programmes did not do much to improve this aspect but there is optimism about the latest programme which promotes an increase in production volumes. The state of logistics in South Africa was critically analysed to understand the influence it has on the automotive industry. It was found that although the logistics infrastructure within South Africa is the best in Africa, it is behind the standards of its competitors. This is influencing the automotive industry as a result of inadequate rail infrastructure. The reason for this was that most of the freight which was being transported by road would be more efficiently transported by rail. The cost of logistics was also found to be high in South Africa and skills were also a concern to improve the current situation. A research questionnaire was created from the findings of the literature review. The questionnaire formed the primary research tool for this study. The sample was identified as respondents from vehicle assemblers and component manufacturers who would have sufficient knowledge of this topic. It was found that inbound and outbound logistics costs formed a relatively large component of total costs. The high levels of imported parts being used as well as export levels added to the logistics costs. This also caused uneconomical inventory levels as stock needed to be kept for longer periods before being replenished. The respondents were also aware of the fact that rail would improve the situation if the infrastructure was sufficient. The respondents seemed to be of the opinion that the skills of the employees responsible for logistics were not a major influencing factor and that logistics service providers were in addition, not creating an overwhelming cost improvement. The incentive programmes were also not seen to be doing much to address the influence of logistics on the automotive industry.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR TECHNOLOGIAE Human Resource Management CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY 2014
This study sought to gain a better understanding of the recruitment and performance management functions in the import and export industry in Cape Town, South Africa. While many studies have been conducted on recruitment and performance management, there is a paucity of research on these two functions within the industry. Recruitment and performance management are vital human capital and human resource (HR) functions that play a crucial role in guaranteeing an organisation’s ability to achieve its business strategy. Furthermore, studies have shown that in recent years, performance management has become intrinsic to most organisations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop awareness relating to the importance of the recruitment and performance management functions, among all levels of management. The research comprised five phases of data collection from 151 randomly selected respondents. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to gain insight into how these two functions were executed within the industry under investigation. Thereafter a performance management module was developed and implemented, and the questionnaire was redistributed after six months. The results support the view that the functions of recruitment and performance management are poorly managed within the industry. Furthermore, the intervention of the performance management module indicates that interaction with employees relating to individual performance enhances both their work performance and general awareness of inter-personal and organisational issues. The findings from this research suggest that recruitment and performance management are essential HR practices often overlooked in an environment that is random and extremely demanding. Disregard of these practices, especially performance management, has proved to have a negative impact on employee job performance. It is therefore recommended that organisations follow processes and invest in such programmes, not only to achieve their organisational goals, but also to develop and enhance employee performance. This study has specific and important implications for the import and export industry in Cape Town, substantiating the researcher’s premise that effective recruitment and performance management can improve and facilitate the management of the industry’s employees.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The internet has introduced a new channel of sales to the retail industry. Traditionally, the bricks and mortar retail space has predominated the retail giants’ attention; however, the e-commerce space has introduced a new dynamic they cannot ignore. South Africa, as a developing country, has faced challenges with the availability of internet access across all its regions due to the geographical location and spread. Location and logistics are but a few of the challenges facing the e-commerce organisation and consumer. A review of the public literature has identified a gap in research into the critical success factors and challenges facing the clothing e-commerce industry in South Africa. The intention of this study was to identify key themes of critical success criteria and challenges facing the clothing e-commerce industry by interviewing e-commerce professionals. The open questions and challenges identified through these interviews were combined with open questions from the literature review to form a primary questionnaire that could be launched to a primary consumer market segment. This retail consumer market was approached through a mall intercept survey and an online survey to obtain a reasonable representation of internet users and non-internet users in the target sample. Key findings from the e-commerce professional and manager interviews ratified the key themes of the critical success factors and challenges identified in the public literature review. The interviews did, however, place stronger emphasis on product range, price and customer service as being key contribution areas for critical success factors. The research identified a good product range, experienced and skilled senior management, good customer service, a robust and quality logistics model, strong security and clearly defined efficient internal processes. The research also identified high delivery costs and delays, product promised is not the product delivered, inefficient return policies and low quality e-commerce websites as key challenges facing the clothing e-commerce industry. The researcher suggests that further research can be conducted on the consumer adoption rates of clothing e-commerce and the impact of the declining Rand on the profitability of clothing e-commerce in South Africa.

Thesis (DTech (Business)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010
The aim of the research is to determine the predictive relationship between mental alertness, personality traits, psychomotor ability and learner performance, in the selection of clothing industry learners. A concurrent validity study is described in which 213 learners were given an assessment battery and assessed on their learning performance and work performance. The psychometric assessment battery measured the domains of mental alertness, personality traits and psychomotor ability in a four-hour session. A combination of paper-and-pencil and practical sewing work assessments were used to assess learner performance. The domain learner performance comprised the assessment scores for the learnership’s theoretical and practical modules. The work performance domain was measured by supervisor appraised work-quality and work-quantity. The assessment domains were then examined for their potential to predict work performance. Linear multiple regression equations reported R2 = 0,3266 for work performance.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pierre du Plooy co-founded Prophyta (Pty) Ltd, a company that provided technical consultation services in the fields of horticulture and soil science to the South African deciduous fruit industry. Initially, the founders employed goods-dominant logic, viewing their services as intangible products that needed to be sold to clients. Between the founding of Prophyta in September 2012 and November 2014, Pierre du Plooy’s value proposition, service offering and revenue model diverged from those of other consultants in Prophyta, to the extent that he resigned from Prophyta and became an independent horticultural consultant. The study focussed on Pierre du Plooy’s existing clients. The clients were surveyed to determine their satisfaction with the current service offering, their interest in additional services, their openness toward alternative revenue models and key success factors according to them. A questionnaire was designed and 29 clients were invited to participate in the survey. Six responded, resulting in a response rate of 21 percent. Client satisfaction with the current service was measured using SERVQUAL. Fifteen statements applicable to the horticulture advisory service were made and respondents’ expectations and perceptions measured on a five point Likert scale. The values obtained for the expectation and corresponding perception per statement were used to calculate a difference score. A negative value for the difference score meant the perception of the current service exceeds client expectations regarding the statement in question. In general, the clients were satisfied with the current service offering. Two main aspects needed focus. A horticulturist needs to stay up-to-date with new research and technologies, requiring him to stay abreast of relevant literature, as well as attending symposia and production areas abroad. A horticulturist also has to be very attentive to keep classified information shared by clients confidential. The first aspect relates to the creation of new knowledge, the second to strengthening and building of relationships based on trust. According to the literature, both these aspects form the bases of competition and are very important in obtaining and maintaining a competitive advantage. It is recommended that Pierre du Plooy focus on above-mentioned aspects in order to maintain a sustainable competitive advantage over competitors. It is also recommended to repeat the client survey every two years in order to monitor changing client expectations and make sure client needs are being met.

This memorandum outlines the role of De Beers and its leading position in the international diamond industry. It is designed to give a brief overview of the “diamond pipeline” that leads from prospecting and mining of diamonds in remote parts of Africa and elsewhere to glamorous jewellers’ shops the world oven It looks particularly at the unique and important role South Africa plays in the diamond pipeline.

Thesis (MTech (Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008
While there is a standard for quality and environmental auditors, there is no local or international standard for food safety auditing, which means auditors from different certification bodies can use their own discretion when auditing food establishments. There is a requirement to investigate the quality of work performed by South African food safety auditors. in order to establish whether they do in fact add value when conducting registration and certification audits. This is also an indication of the importance of improving and maintaining a high standard of food safety in the food services industry. The overall concept of food safety in South Africa IS clearly not defined. understood by only a few consumers, and not widely accepted. Research has shown that food retailers in South Africa in general do not believe food safety auditors are competent. In the wake of the Sudan Red scare two years ago. a long awaited food safety initiative was launched in February 2006. The scare pertaining to a carcinogenic food dye. which found its way into spices on local supermarket shelves, mobilized food industry role players to improve food safety standards. Under the auspices of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), the body responsible for establishing best practices and implementation standards, Food Safety South Africa (FSSA) will enable an organization to determine the exact nature and extent of possible and actual problems along the food supply chain. The key objectives of this research study are to determine whether one food certification standard is needed in South Africa and to assess the value added by the food auditors to their clients. Social research will be conducted within the ambit of the dissertation, with case study serving as research method. Both quantitative and qualitative research paradigms will be used to gather data for the research survey in support of the research question. forming the crux of the dissertation which reads as follow: "How can food safety auditors increase value added to the audit process in food environments in South Africa?"

Driving a vehicle while it is within the warranty period provide customers with assurance that should a failure occur on the vehicle, there would be no financial obligation for the customer to repair the vehicle. For the manufacturer, it is a huge financial obligation to repair or replace components that fail on the vehicle. The research conducted in this study explores and identifies the main reasons for high warranty costs as well as the reasons that do not influence high warranty costs at VWSA. The purpose of this research is to provide VWSA with a potential starting point to reduce warranty costs and increase profits. The study revealed that the main cause of high warranty costs at VWSA was related to the quality of vehicles. By improving the quality of vehicles produced, VWSA could reduce a significant portion of the warranty costs it spends each year. With reduced warranty costs, VWSA could increase the warranty period and thereby attract more customers to purchase VW products. In a cutthroat automotive industry, this would ensure a competitive advantage over rivals; maintain longevity, increase profits and continued success.

Globalization in the automotive industry exerts enormous pressure on automotive manufacturers and forces many global companies to expand into emerging markets, which results in adopting new ways to manage product design and development. Excellence in product design and development offers an opportunity to gain competitive advantage and can be achieved by implementing Toyota´s Lean Product Development System (LPDS). Although in the last three years Toyota has been severely challenged by the global economic crisis, by a series of recalls resulting in reputation damage and also by natural disasters such as the recent tsunamis - the world can still learn from Toyota´s successes embodied in the lean concept and practices, which are integral to Toyota´s ‘way of life’. The LPDS model (Morgan & Liker 2006) has captured the attention of academics worldwide (including this researcher) thanks to the following key characteristics: shorter development times, less engineering hours involved in development, lower manufacturing costs, higher customer satisfaction and fewer defects reported. In the academic world, lean product development (LPD) is a new field of exploration and thus relevant literature and numbers of studies available are limited. However, scientists are asking questions about successful adaptation and adoption of this model to other environments beyond Toyota. Similarly, the researcher aimed in this thesis to find answers to its main research question, namely: ‘What would be a suitable LPD model for the South African automotive industry?’ South Africa (SA) is a country with a strong manufacturing tradition and although the automotive sector is the third-largest segment in the South African economy and its vehicle market is the largest on the African continent in a global perspective SA´s contribution is relatively small as it produces only 0.61percent of the global motor vehicle volume (OICA 2011). While the country strives to secure sustainable development for the automotive industry and seeks to improve its global competitiveness, companies operating in SA are currently faced with several unique challenges and problems. Lean has been expanding slowly in SA and some companies in the local automotive industry have implemented the lean concept into production areas to improve their operational excellence and performance. However, it is a search for excellence in product development (PD) that could best contribute to improved sustainability for the automotive industry and also provide an important strategic spur towards global competitiveness. The primary intention of this research was to develop an integrated LPD framework tailored for SA´s automotive industry. Considering this, it was necessary to determine current PD capabilities at domestic and international companies operating in SA´s automotive industry so as to examine levels of adaptation of LPD practices. A questionnaire survey and personal interviews involving all seven locally operating Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Toyota, as well as 36 local automotive suppliers provided an empirical base for this investigation. This study indicates that SA plays an important supportive role in the global PD context. In spite of a strong manufacturing focus and very limited PD capabilities, SA´s automotive companies have already achieved a high level of ‘leanness’ in product engineering processes. However, on the downside, it appears that industry leaders and senior managers are sceptical about current and future capabilities and opportunities for SA in the designing and developing of global products.

This research takes place in a South African multinational automotive industry, which needs to be on the forefront for being globally competitive and sustainable to remain viable in the country. A strategic initiative was embarked upon to identify talent within their staff population, through the psychometric assessment of learning potential. The objective was to identify high potential employees and provide them with the requisite training and development to meet the demands of the rapidly advancing technology. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of the Ability, Process of Information and Learning Battery (APIL) as a psychometric assessment tool for identifying talent, within a heterogeneous workforce. This research adopts a cross-cultural approach as it is comparative in nature and addresses the adequacy of a psychometric instrument in a multicultural context. The Employment Equity Act has transformed the landscape of the use of psychological measurement in South Africa, in that it stipulates that no psychological test that is biased against any cultural group can be used. A sample of 841 heterogeneous staff employees was assessed with three major research objectives: (a) to ensure that the instrument could stand scientific scrutiny thereby complying with the Employment Equity Act; (b) to recommend ways the organisation can identify and understand employees’ talent more holistically; and (c) to manage talent more effectively. The heterogeneous sample was divided into six homogeneous subsets for statistical analysis. This research attempted to answer the first objective through the examination of internal consistency, bias and equivalence of the APIL. Results showed good internal consistency, very good construct equivalence and low item bias, demonstrating the APIL can be applied fairly in a multicultural industrial setting. The second objective was determined by investigating whether significant difference in mean learning potential scores occur among the identified subsets in the sample. Statistical analyses provide clear trend lines indicating that sociopolitical and socioeconomic factors of advantagement and disadvantagement, age and education influence learning potential. However it is also evident that there are individuals across all subsets that demonstrate strong cognitive potential. This supports the rationale on which the APIL was developed, in that it distinguishes people with high learning potential despite the fact that there may be gaps or limitations in skill repertoire due to past disadvantagement. Recommendations to address the third objective is provided by aligning learning potential with the performance management system to provide a holistic overview of the talent composition. This will assist in the identifying of strategic training and development interventions needed at the individual, functional and organisational level, which is key for the South African automotive industry to remain competitive and viable.